Abstract:
A device for cleaning and storing a mouthguard, including two main chambers shaped for receiving and holding a mouthguard. One of the main chambers has a sealable lid for retaining disinfecting liquid and the other main chamber has vents to allow water to drain away, and to allow air flow for drying the mouthguard.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to devices for cleaning, drying and storing dental appliances such as mouthguards. Specifically, the present invention provides a practical solution to the problem of cleaning and storing mouthguards or other dental appliances in a hygienic fashion between uses. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     As is the case with any reusable dental appliance, mouthguards need to be cleaned between uses as they could otherwise provide an ideal environment for the reproduction of microbes. A proper cleaning of a mouthguard requires the application of a disinfecting substance, thorough rinsing, and drying. 
     The present invention aims to provide a solution to this problem, by disclosing a multi-chambered container. At least one chamber is suited for the application of a disinfecting substance, while another is suited for rinsing and drying. 
     There are a number of containers for mouthguards or other dental appliances known in the prior art. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,203,351 to Adell teaches a single-chamber mouthguard container with two possible “closed” positions, allowing some mouthguards to remain attached to a helmet through an attaching strap, while being enclosed in the container. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,323,787 to Pratt discloses a single-chamber dental appliance container with a grid pattern projecting from the bottom wall, allowing the dental appliance to completely soak in a cleansing liquid. 
     U.S. Patent Application No. 2004/0244805 to Cook et al. teaches a single-chamber mouthguard container with a set of ribs projecting from the bottom wall, defining a generally u-shaped opening to securely store the mouthguard and providing a plurality of vent apertures to allow air circulation. Cook et al. further teaches that the mouthguard case be impregnated with an antimicrobial agent as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,553,996. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,298,077 to Saarela et al. discloses a single-chamber cleaning device for a dental appliance, such as dentures, comprising two circular pieces, each having a plurality of bristles extending inwardly and a plurality of slots. The two pieces rotatably engage each other, allowing the user to scrub the dental appliance. Meanwhile, the slots allow the user to rinse the dental appliance under water from inside the container. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 2,102,643 to Pellegrini discloses a dual-chambered cleaning device for a dental appliance. However, the two chambers are used for storing upper and lower dentures separately, and a central aperture between the two chambers allows for fluid to flow from one chamber to another. 
     Therefore, there is a need for a dual-chambered cleaning device for dental appliances, such as mouthguards, one chamber providing the appropriate environment for the cleaning step and the other for rinsing, drying and storage. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a container comprising at least two separate chambers, each of them shaped to hold a mouthguard or any other dental appliance of a similar nature. 
     The first chamber, when closed, is hermetically sealed, to contain a cleaning/disinfecting fluid to be applied to the mouthguard. In one embodiment of the present invention, the first chamber can include a false bottom with vents so that the false bottom is in fluid communication with the first chamber, allowing the user to securely place a disinfecting tablet in the false bottom. As disinfecting tablets typically produce gas when dissolved in water, the first chamber includes, according to a preferred embodiment, one or more pinhole sized apertures which allow gas to escape but preventing all but an insignificant amount of liquid from leaking. Alternatively, the first chamber can include a pressure relief valve. 
     The second chamber includes a plurality of vents preferably on its top, bottom, and side surfaces, allowing the mouthguard to be thoroughly rinsed from within the container, and to provide sufficient air circulation so that the mouthguard can dry rapidly enough to inhibit the growth of microorganisms on its surface. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the second chamber has a plurality of ribs on its bottom wall, allowing air to circulate around the entire surface of the mouthguard during the drying phase. 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a practical solution to the problem of cleaning and storing a mouthguard or other similar dental appliances. 
     It is a further object in a preferred embodiment of the present invention to provide a dual-chambered cleaning device for mouthguards allowing for the proper disinfecting, rinsing and drying of a mouthguard. 
     It is a further object in a preferred embodiment of the present invention to provide a dual-chambered cleaning device for mouthguards, which is easy to use, and which requires a minimum of effort, so that young children can operate it with little difficulty. 
     According to the present invention then, there is provided a device for storing and cleaning a dental appliance comprising a first chamber for at least partially immersing said appliance in a cleaning fluid, defined by a bottom wall, and a sidewall and a lid, said lid having means to sealingly close the chamber; a second chamber for draining and drying said appliance, defined by a bottom wall, a sidewall and a lid, said lid having means to remain shut, at least one of said bottom wall, sidewall and lid having one or more of apertures formed therethrough for the drainage of fluid and the circulation of air. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in greater detail and will be better understood when read in conjunction with the following drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a top plan view of a device in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a side elevational view of a device in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a top plan view of a device in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a side elevational view of a device in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of a device in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a close-up view of the hermetic seal in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a side elevational view of a device in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the device shown in  FIG. 5 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , there is shown the present device  10  in the nature of a two-chambered mouthguard or other appliance holder. The holder  10  is bounded by a peripheral sidewall  31 , a top wall  32 , and a bottom wall  33 . Dividing the device into two chambers  12  and  14  is a vertical wall  20 , projecting from bottom wall  33  to top wall  32 . 
     The chambers  12  and  14  are each defined by sidewall  31 , vertical wall  20 , top wall  32 , and lids  22  and  24 . Lids  22  and  24  are hingedly connected to top wall  32  at  42  and  44  respectively. The hinged connection may consist of a thinning out of the construction material, such as plastic, so as to create a flexible strip of material, or by other means known in the art. 
     Lid  22 , when closed, creates a tight enough seal to prevent liquid, such as a cleaning and/or disinfecting solution, from escaping first chamber  12 . The lid is held shut by a clip  18  in top wall  32  for example, or by any other means known in the art, such as a tongue and groove snap fit. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , according to one embodiment of the present invention, first chamber  12  includes a false bottom  19 , with a lid  29  covering most of the surface of bottom wall  33  underlying first chamber  12 . Lid  29  is formed with a plurality of vents  16  and a clip  21  used to hold it shut. 
     Lid  24  can be formed with a plurality of vents  15  allowing air to circulate in chamber  14 . A clip  17  is provided allowing lid  24  to snap shut into top wall  32 . 
     During operation, the user would first place the mouthguard in first chamber  12  along with an appropriate amount of a cleaning and/or disinfecting liquid or substance, and close lid  22 . The user can then either shake the device to agitate the mouthguard, or leave the mouthguard to soak in the disinfecting liquid. Once the user is satisfied the mouthguard has been sufficiently treated, it can be removed and placed into second chamber  14 . Lid  24  is closed and the user can then choose to rinse the mouthguard by running water over the vents  15  of lid  24 , and allowing the water to escape through vents  26  in the sidewall or similar vents in bottom wall  33 , or vice versa, or the residual fluid on the mouthguard can simply be allowed to drain through the vents. The user can then leave the mouthguard to dry in the holder in any well ventilated place. 
     If the holder includes false bottom  19 , the user would lift lid  29  and load the false bottom with a disinfecting tablet, such as Polident™. The mouthguard would then be dropped in and chamber  12  can be filled with bottled or tap water. Lid  22  is closed and user can then either agitate the device by shaking it, or allow the dissolving action of the tablet to do the cleansing. This feature allows parents to safely and easily help their children keep their mouthguards clean without the need for the children themselves to handle the disinfecting tablet if the child is particularly young. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , another embodiment of the holder is generally indicated by reference numeral  110 . First chamber  112  and second chamber  114  extend from bottom wall  133 , which also acts as a base for the device. Chambers  112  and  114  are defined by bottom wall  133 , respective sidewalls  131   a  and  131   b , and lids  122 , and  124 . Lids  122  and  124  can be screw tops, or, to prevent loss, they can be hingedly connected to sidewalls  131   a  and  131   b , at  142  and  144 , respectively. 
     If lid  122  is hinged, it can be closed using clip  118  to create a tight enough seal to prevent liquid from escaping, even when the device is shaken. 
     Lid  124  can be securely shut using clip  117 . The lid, side wall  131   b  and/or bottom wall  133  defining drying chamber  114  and can be formed with a plurality of vent apertures  115  to promote drainage and drying of the appliance. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , first chamber  112  can include a false bottom  119 , with a lid  129 , having a plurality of vents  116  and a clip  121  allowing the lid to be opened and snapped shut. 
     In function, this embodiment is used and works in the same manner as the embodiment described above with reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , yet another embodiment of the present invention is shown generally indicated by reference numeral  210 . This is a double clam shell configuration. First chamber  212  and second chamber  214  share a common bottom wall  233  in a back-to-back configuration, and sidewall  231  extends from both sides of bottom wall  233 , thereby defining both chambers. 
     Both chambers  212  and  214  are further defined by lids  222  and  224 , respectively hingedly connected to side wall  231  by hinges  242  and  244 . 
     The lids snap fit to the outer peripheral edges of side wall  231 . Reference is made to  FIG. 6  in this regard. The outer peripheral edges of side wall  231  are formed with a slightly enlarged bead  226  which snap fits into a correspondingly shaped groove  227  that extends around the inner periphery of the lids. This connection provides a relatively strong and fluid tight seal to prevent leakage from chamber  212  in particular and to resist the lid being popped off by the pressure of gas released when cleansing tablets are dissolved. As will be appreciated, drying chamber  214  is not subject to the same internal pressures and of course the drainage of fluid is actually required, so lid  224  does not require the same closure and sealing mechanism as lid  222 . A simple friction fit between the lid and the side wall will suffice. 
     Each of lids  222  and  224  are provided with outwardly extending tabs  238  that can be used to more easily open the lids. 
     Lid  224  for the drying chamber includes a plurality of venting apertures  215  which may be in the nature of parallel, spaced apart slots best seen in  FIG. 8  that extend through the lid for the ingress and egress of air and fluid. The side wall  231  around the drying chamber is also preferably perforated with a plurality of holes or slots  226  immediately adjacent bottom wall  233  as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6  to promote drainage and the circulation of air. 
     In  FIG. 5 , a mouthguard  250  is shown in each of chambers  212  and  214 , one being cleaned while the other is being dried or simply stored. The surface of bottom wall  233  facing into second chamber  214  can include a plurality of parallel, spaced apart ribs  235 , allowing the mouthguard to rest or be spaced slightly above bottom wall  233 , thereby allowing air and liquid to circulate all around the mouthguard for a more efficient draining and drying phase. It will be seen as well that cleaning chamber  212  does not have a false bottom. If a cleansing tablet is used, it can simply be dropped into the chamber before or after the water has been added. A false bottom can be utilized if desired however. 
     With reference to  FIG. 6 , each of hinges  242 / 244  comprises a tab  229  extending from side wall  231  and opposing tab  228  extending from lids  222 / 224 . The two tabs are joined at their opposed outer edges by a relatively thin flexible web  234  of the same material forming the tabs, which will typically be a plastic material, that allows the tabs to rotate relative to each other. The tabs allow the hinges the necessary clearance to open and close relative to bead  226  so that groove  227  compressibly seals against the bead in a secure and relatively fluid tight snap fit. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5 ,  6  and  7 , the present holder can include some adaptations to facilitate its use with cleaning tablets. 
     As discussed above, it is contemplated that the present invention can be used in conjunction with different cleaning agents, including disinfecting tablets which dissolve in water. Such tablets produce gas when used, and therefore a perfectly hermetic seal between lid  222  and side wall  231  may be unsuitable as the pressure buildup could force the seal, causing it to leak or even pop open, spilling the chamber&#39;s contents. 
     One adaptation to deal with this is to increase the volume of chamber  212  above its maximum fill line, which is the top of side wall  231 . This can be done by adding a bulge  262  to lid  222 . In  FIG. 5 , the bulge is in the form of an added wedge  263  of volume but the same effect can be achieved by making the lid more dome shaped or by increasing the height of the lid&#39;s side wall  223  ( FIG. 6 ). 
     Another adaptation which can be used by itself or in addition to the enlargement of lid  222  is to form the lid with one or more very small pinholes  272 . The hole or holes can be formed in the lid where shown in  FIGS. 5 and 7  or anywhere else in the lid that will normally be above the chamber&#39;s fill line. The pinholes are sized so that gas may escape, thereby preventing pressure buildup, but preventing all but a minute amount of liquid to leak. Alternatively, a pressure release valve can be added into the lid or even into side wall  231  of first chamber  212 . 
     In use, mouthguard  250  is placed in chamber  212  which is filled with water or some other cleaning fluid. A cleaning tablet can be added, the lid closed and the whole device agitated to promote better cleaning. When cleaning is done, the fluid is dumped from the cleaning chamber and the mouthguard is placed into chamber  214 . Added rinsing can be effected under a flow of water, or the mouthguard can be simply be left to naturally drain and dry until needed again. 
     The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Since numerous modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is understood that modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, without escaping from the scope of the present invention.