Abstract:
An animal dental cleaning device for cleaning the teeth of a domesticated or non-domesticated animal while the animal is participating in a pulling game with another animal or person, such as tug-of-war, is provided. Methods for cleaning teeth of animals using an animal dental cleaning device while the animal is participating in a pulling game with another animal or person are also provided.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Maintaining good dental hygiene is important for domesticated animals, such as dogs and cats as well as non-domesticated animals. Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease and other dental maladies can be a common problem for domesticated animals from the buildup of tartar on the teeth. Gum disease from infected gums can easily transmit bacteria to the blood stream, causing serious illness in a wide variety of domesticated animals. 
     The foregoing examples of related art and limitations related therewith are intended to be illustrative and not exclusive, and they do not imply any limitations on the inventions described herein. Other limitations of the related art will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the specification and a study of the drawings. 
     SUMMARY 
     The following embodiments and aspects thereof are described and illustrated in conjunction with systems, tools and methods, which are meant to be exemplary and illustrative, not limiting in scope. 
     An embodiment of the present invention comprises an animal dental cleaning device, comprising an actuator element comprising at least one row of a first set of bristles attached to the actuator element, wherein the first set of bristles extend in a first direction from the actuator element; at least one row of a second set of bristles attached to the actuator element, wherein the second set of bristles extend in a second direction from the actuator element; a connector wherein the connector is attached to the actuator element; an outer shell comprising at least one first bristle opening; at least one second bristle opening; and a connector opening; wherein a portion of the actuator element is configured to interface with the outer shell, wherein the at least one first bristle opening aligns with the first set of bristles extending in a first direction from the actuator element; wherein the at least one second bristle opening aligns with the second set of bristles extending in a second direction from the actuator element; and wherein the connector aligns with the connector opening. 
     In an additional embodiment, a method of cleaning the teeth of an animal is provided comprising: providing an animal dental cleaning device comprising an actuator element, and an outer shell with bristles protruding through bristle openings in the outer shell; causing an animal to bite on the outer shell of the animal dental cleaning device, thereby causing the bristles protruding through openings in the outer shell to make contact with the teeth of the animal; causing a second animal or person to grasp a handle of the actuator element, wherein the second animal or person pulls the actuator element in the opposite direction from the animal biting the outer shell; and causing the bristles of the animal dental cleaning device to brush the teeth of the animal biting the outer shell of the animal dental cleaning device. 
     In addition to the embodiments described above, further aspects and embodiments will become apparent by reference to the drawings and by study of the following descriptions, any one or all of which are within the invention. The summary above is a list of example implementations, not a limiting statement of the scope of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form a part of the specification, illustrate some, but not the only or exclusive, example embodiments and/or features. It is intended that the embodiments and figures disclosed herein are to be considered illustrative rather than limiting. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an animal dental cleaning device. 
         FIG. 2 a    is a perspective view showing an animal dental cleaning device in a base position. 
         FIG. 2 b    is a perspective view showing an animal dental cleaning device in an extended position. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the actuator element with bristles (saw tooth configuration). 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the outer shell element of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 5 a    shows an example of the bristles of the present disclosure in a sine wave configuration. 
         FIG. 5 b    shows an example of the bristles of the present disclosure in a saw tooth configuration. 
         FIG. 5 c    shows an example of the bristles of the present disclosure in a feather or square configuration. 
         FIG. 5 d    shows an example of the bristles of the present disclosure in a right angle configuration. 
         FIG. 5 e    shows an example of the bristles of the present disclosure in a bundle of right angles. 
         FIG. 5 f    shows an example of the bristles of the present disclosure in a straight bristle configuration. 
         FIG. 6  is a view of a squeaker of an animal dental cleaning device. 
         FIG. 7  is a flow diagram showing a method of cleaning the teeth of an animal. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     One or more embodiments of the present disclosure provide an animal dental cleaning device, which allows for the cleaning of a domesticated or non-domesticated animal&#39;s teeth while playing with another animal or a human. The device may be used to clean the teeth of a wide range of animals, including but not limited to, dogs, cats, horses, cattle, ox, goats, sheep, donkeys, mules, camels, llamas, alpacas, ferrets, pigs, and gerbils, as well as non-domesticated animals such as but not limited to lions, deer, buffalo, tigers, zebras, bears, and kangaroos. The device of the present disclosure has the added benefit of cleaning the teeth of various types of animals without the need for sedation of the animal. As will be discussed in more detail, the animal dental cleaning device functions by providing an outer shell, which provides a surface area for an animal to bite. As the animal bites on the outer shell of the animal dental cleaning device, bristles protruding from the device make contact with the teeth of the animal. The bristles protruding through elongated openings in the outer shell are attached to an actuator element. As a person or another animal grasps a handle portion of the actuator element and begin to pull, the outer shell within the animal&#39;s mouth does not move but the bristles attached to the actuator element slide in the direction of the person pulling the hand of the actuator element. By pulling and releasing the actuator element, the bristles slide back and forth within the openings in the outer shell, causing the bristles contacting the animal&#39;s teeth to brush and rub against the animal&#39;s teeth. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , an embodiment of the present disclosure provides an animal dental cleaning device  100  comprising an actuator element  102  where one end of the actuator element  102  forms a handle of the actuator element  103  while the opposite end of the actuator element  102  forms the mouth portion of the actuator element  105 . The mouth portion of the actuator element  105  is housed or embedded inside a hollow outer shell  104 . One or more rows of bristles  106  are attached or inserted into rows of holes in the mouth portion of the actuator  105 , where a first set of rows of bristles  106  extend outwardly in one direction from the mouth portion of the actuator element  105  and a second set of bristles extend outwardly in a second direction from the mouth portion of the actuator element  105 . In an example embodiment, the first set of bristles  106  extend 90° perpendicular from the mouth portion of the actuator element  105  while the second set of bristles extend 180° opposite of the first set of bristles. As will be discussed in a more detail in  FIGS. 5 a , 5 b , 5 c , 5 d , 5 e  and 5 f    a variety of configurations and forms of bristles may be used in the present invention. In the example device  100  shown in  FIG. 1 , a sine wave bristles is illustrated however, it should be understood that this description is applicable to any such device with other bristle configurations, as will be understood by one skilled in the art, once they understand the principles of this invention. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the mouth portion of the actuator element  105  is housed or embedded in a hollow outer shell  104 . The hollow outer shell  104  has a broad, flattened top and a bottom portion that provides a platform for an animal to bite the animal dental cleaning device  100 . The outer shell  104  has one or more bristle openings  108  located on the flattened top and bottom portions of the outer shell  104 . The bristle openings  108  correspond to the location of the one or more rows of bristles  106  formed in the mouth portion of the actuator element  105 . The bristle openings  108  of the outer shell  104  allow for the bristles  106  on the actuator element  102  to protrude through the outer shell  104 . In the example shown in  FIG. 1 , four bristle openings  108  are illustrated, however, it should be understood that this description is applicable to any number of bristle opening  108  configurations, including one, two, three, five, six or more as will be understood by one skilled in the art, once they understand the principles of this invention. 
     As further shown in  FIG. 1  and further described in  FIG. 3 , the actuator element  102  is connected to the outer shell  104  by means of a connector  110 . The connector  110  is comprised of an elastic rod body that extends upwardly from the actuator element  102  through a connector opening (not shown in  FIG. 1 ) in the outer shell  104  to a top cap or mount on the connector  110  that is configured to interface with the outer shell  104 . The connector  110  provides a rigid attachment point between the actuator element  102  and the outer shell  104 , while also allowing the actuator element  102  to slide longitudinally within the outer shell  104 , allowing the bristles  106  attached to the actuator element  102  to slide longitudinally within the bristle openings  108 . 
       FIG. 2 a    and  FIG. 2 b    provides an example comparison of an animal dental cleaning device in the base position and in the extended position  200 . As shown in  FIG. 2 a   , the actuator element  102  and the connector  110  are situated in a base position within the outer shell  104 . As shown in  FIG. 2 a   , the bristles are also located in a base position, where the bristles base position  202  protrude through the bristle openings  108  at the front  212  of the outer shell  104 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 b   , the animal dental cleaning device is shown with the actuator element and the outer shell extending in opposite directions  210 . As shown in  FIG. 2 b   , when an animal bites down on the outer shell  104  and a second animal or person grasps and pulls on the handle of the actuator element in the opposite direction of the outer shell  104 , the pulling action causes the actuator element and the outer shell to extend in opposite directions  210 . As shown in  FIG. 2 b   , because of the pulling motion, the actuator element is in an extended position  204 , which also causes the connector to be in an extended position  208 . The extension of the actuator element  204  also causes the bristles to move longitudinally through the bristle openings  108  to where the bristles are in an extended position  206  protruding through the bristle openings  108  of the outer shell  104 . The action of pulling the actuator element to the extended position  204 , and then releasing the actuator element from the extended position  204  and allowing it to return the actuator base position  102  shown in  FIG. 2 a    and  FIG. 1 , causes the bristles to move longitudinally back and forth creating a brushing action. 
       FIG. 3  provides a view of the actuator element with the connector and bristles but without the outer shell  300 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , an embodiment of the actuator element  102  may comprise a flattened top  302 , a flattened bottom  304 , a thin actuator element front  306 , a thin actuator element right side  308 , a thin actuator element left side  310 , and a thin actuator element rear side  312 . The flattened top  302  and flattened bottom  304  may be parallel to each other and separated by a height or the flattened top  302  and flattened bottom  304  may be angled to form a wedge shape. The flattened top  302  and flattened bottom  304  are separated by the front side  306 , rear side  312 , left side  310 , and right side  308 . The front side  306  and the rear  312  are parallel to each other and separated by a length. The left side  310  and the right side  308  are parallel to each other and separated by a width. As shown in  FIG. 3  and previously discussed in  FIG. 1 , the actuator element  102  is further comprised of two sections, a handle portion of the actuator  103  and a mouth portion of the actuator element  105 . The handle portion of the actuator element  103  comprises approximately the rear two-thirds of the actuator element  102 . The mouth portion of the actuator element  105  comprises approximately the front one-third of the actuator element  102 , where the mouth portion of the actuator element  105  provides an area for the hollow outer shell (as discussed in  FIG. 1 ) to enclose and provide an enlarged surface area for an animal to bite when biting the outer shell. In the example shown in  FIG. 3 , the mouth portion of the actuator element  105  is wider than the handle portion of the actuator element  103 , however, it should be understood that this description is applicable to any number of configurations of the actuator element  102 , including mouth portions of the actuator element that are the same size or thinner than the handle portion of the actuator element  103  as will be understood by one skilled in the art, once they understand the principles of this invention. 
     As further shown in  FIG. 3 , four rows of bristles  106  are attached, embedded in or formed to the mouth portion of the actuator element  105 . In the example of  FIG. 3 , the bristles  106  are configured in a saw tooth pattern, however as will be discussed later and as would be understood by one skilled in the art, a variety of bristle configurations may be used with the animal dental cleaning device of the present disclosure. As further shown in  FIG. 3 , the bristles  106  are arranged in rows with four rows shown in  FIG. 3 . It should be understood that this description is applicable to any such device with other numbers of bristle rows, as will be understood by one skilled in the art, once they understand the principles of this invention. 
     The bristles  106  may be made of a variety of suitable materials including, but not limited to, synthetic polymers such as nylon, plastics, such as high density polyethylene ‘HDPE’, or elastic materials such as styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), isoprene, butadiene, ethylene-propylene, butyl, chloroprene, nitrile rubber or foam rubber. 
       FIG. 3  also shows the connector  110 . As discussed  FIG. 1 , the connector  110  is comprised of a rigid rod body that extends or protrudes upwardly from the actuator element  102  to a top cap or mount configured to interface with the outer shell (not shown in  FIG. 3 ) by means of an opening in the outer shell. As previously discussed, the connector  110  provides a rigid attachment point between the actuator element  102  and the outer shell while also allowing the actuator element  102  to slide longitudinally within the outer shell  104  (not shown in FIG.  3 ), allowing the bristles  106  attached to the actuator element  102  to slide longitudinally within the bristle openings  108  of the outer shell (not shown in  FIG. 3 ). 
     The actuator element  102  may be made of a variety of suitable rigid materials including, but not limited to, synthetic polymers such as nylon, plastics, such as high density polyethylene ‘HDPE’, metals including titanium, steel, stainless steel, aluminum, and aircraft aluminum, or composite materials, such as carbon-fiber-reinforced polymers, carbon-fiber-reinforced plastics and carbon-fiber reinforced thermoplastics. 
       FIG. 4  provides a view of the outer shell of the animal dental cleaning device  400 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , the outer shell  104  is a hollow element of the animal dental cleaning device that encompasses the mouth portion of the actuator element (shown as  105  of  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 3 ). The outer shell  104  provides a stable area for an animal to bite while allowing the actuator element (not shown in  FIG. 4 ) to move within the outer shell  104 . An embodiment of the outer shell  104  may comprise a top, a bottom, front side, right side, left side, and rear side, all of which correspond with the dimensions of the mouth portion of the mouth portion of the actuator element, which allows the outer shell to encompass the mouth portion of the actuator element. 
     Elongated bristle openings  108  are located on both the flattened top and bottom portions of the outer shell  104 . The bristle openings  108  correspond to the location of the one or more rows of bristles ( 106  for  FIGS. 1 and 3 ) attached to the actuator element. The bristle openings  108  of the outer shell  104  allow for the bristles on the actuator element to protrude through the outer shell  104  and make contact with an animal&#39;s teeth. 
     An opening located at the rear of the outer shell  214 , the actuator element receiving opening  404 , provides a location where the handle section of the actuator element is located outside of the outer shell  104  and provides an access point for the assembly of the actuator with the outer shell. This actuator element receiving opening  404  provides a separation point between the mouth portion of the actuator element and the handle portion of the actuator element, allowing a person to grasp the handle and pull the actuator element to the extended position, as described in  FIG. 2   b.    
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , an embodiment of the outer shell may further comprise an elongated section, called the elongated tongue  406 , which protrudes from the rear of the outer shell  214 . The elongated tongue  406  forms a section of the outer shell  104  that extends out over the handle portion of the actuator element. The elongated tongue  406  comprises a connector opening  402 , which is designed to allow the connector of  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 3  to extend upwardly through the outer shell  104 , to allow the top portion of the connector to interface with the outer shell  104  and connecting the actuator element to the outer shell  104 . 
     The outer shell  104  may be made of a variety of suitable elastic materials including, but are not limited to, styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR). Other suitable materials may include isoprene, butadiene, ethylene-propylene, butyl, chloroprene and nitrile rubber. Other engineered or composite materials may also be used. 
       FIG. 5 a    provides an example configuration of the bristles of the present disclosure  500 . As shown in  FIG. 5 a   , the bristles are in a sine wave configuration  502 . The sine wave configuration  502  comprises at least two rows of bristles with enough space between the rows to allow teeth to fit between the rows. In the sine wave configuration  502 , the bristles are of varying lengths and are bent at a 90° angle. This allows the bristles to make contact with the animal&#39;s teeth at various locations on the tooth. 
     In  FIG. 5 b   , the bristles are in a saw tooth configuration  504 . The saw tooth configuration  504  again comprises at least two rows of bristles with enough space between the rows to allow teeth to fit between the rows. In the saw tooth configuration  504 , the bristles again are of varying lengths and are bent at a 90° angle. This allows the bristles to contact with the animal&#39;s teeth at various locations on the tooth. 
     In  FIG. 5 c   , the bristles are in a square or feather configuration  506 . The square or feather configuration  506  comprises a main center bristle with a plurality of bristles extending 90° from the main center bristle. This configuration allows each individual bristle to contact with a large area of the animal&#39;s teeth. 
     In  FIG. 5 d   , the bristles are in a right angle configuration  508 . The right angle configuration again comprises at least two rows of bristles with enough space between the rows to allow teeth to fit between the rows. In the right angle configuration  508 , the bristles of a length with the top section of the bristle bent at a 90° angle. This allows the bristles to consistently contact with the animal&#39;s gum line. 
     In  FIG. 5 e   , the bristles are in a bundled right angle configuration  510 . The bundled right angle configuration  510  again comprises at least two rows of bristles with enough space between the rows to allow teeth to fit between the rows. In the bundled right angle configuration  510 , the bristles of a length with the top section of the bristle bent at a 90° angle however, the head of the bristle are angles to the right or left. 
     In  FIG. 5 f   , the bristles are in a straight configuration  512 . The straight bristle configuration  512  again comprises at least two rows of bristles with enough space between the rows to allow teeth to fit between the rows. 
       FIG. 6  provides an example of squeaker embodiment added to the animal dental cleaning device  600 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , the squeaker device  602  is located on the elongated tongue portion  406  of the outer shell  104 . In this example, the squeaker is located between the bristle openings  108  and the connector  110  of the actuator element  102 . The squeaker device  602  provides a noise, such as a chirp, when the animal bites the outer shell  104  or when the actuator element  102  is extended. The noise produced by the squeaker is designed to induce an instinctual reaction in the animal biting the outer shell  104  of the animal dental cleaning device  600 , inducing or encouraging the animal to pull on the animal dental cleaning device  600 , and causing the bristles of the device  600  to brush the teeth of the animal. A variety of squeaker elements may be used with the present disclosure and may be located on a variety of areas of the animal dental cleaning device, including the handle of the actuator element or the outer shell, as will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. 
     As shown in  FIG. 7 , a flow chart showing a method of cleaning an animal&#39;s teeth, is provided  700 . In step  702 , an animal dental cleaning device, is provided, where the device comprises an actuator element and an outer shell, where bristles inserted in holes in the mouth portion of the actuator element protrude through openings in the outer shell, as described in  FIGS. 1-5  above. In step  704 , an animal bites on the hollow outer shell surrounding the actuator element. The biting of the outer shell causes the bristles protruding through the bristle openings in the outer shell to make contact with the teeth of the animal. In step  706 , another animal or a human grasps the handle portion of the actuator element and then pulls on the handle in the opposite direction of the outer shell. This action of pulling the handle portion in the opposite direction of the outer shell causes the actuator element to extend away from the outer shell and causes the bristles protruding through the bristle openings to move longitudinally in the direction of the handle portion of the actuator element. Once the second animal or person stops pulling on the actuator element, the actuator element returns to the base or non-extended position of the animal dental cleaning device, causing the bristles protruding through the bristle openings to move longitudinally to their original or base position. In step  708 , the movement of the bristles longitudinally back and forth within the bristle openings of the outer shell brushes the teeth of the animal biting the outer shell of the animal dental cleaning device. 
     The various forms of the animal dental cleaning device embodying the present invention described hereinabove remove plaque, tartar and other debris, which forms on the teeth of animals. The animal dental cleaning device of the present invention also provides the added benefit of entertainment for one or more animals. 
     The foregoing description of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed, and other modifications and variations may be possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention in various embodiments and various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the appended claims be construed to include other alternative embodiments of the invention except insofar as limited by the prior art.