Patent Publication Number: US-7594511-B2

Title: Device and method for preventing unwanted oral activity

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
   This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/201,181, filed on Aug. 11, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,185,654 which claimed the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/614,470, filed on Oct. 1, 2004. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to a device and method for keeping the mouth closed, and more particularly, to a device and method for preventing unwanted oral activity, such as snoring, smoking, snacking, or the like, using an oral tape that secures together the upper and lower teeth of a user during sleep to prevent snoring, or while awake as a deterrent to snacking, smoking, and the like. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   Snoring is caused when an individual breathes through the mouth during sleep in such a manner as to vibrate the uvula and/or soft palate in the interior of the mouth. Often, a snoring individual disturbs others who are within the vicinity. In addition, an individual who tends to snore during resting periods suffers from a lack of uninterrupted sleep in that he or she is awoken numerous times during the evening by the loud sounds of the snoring. 
   There have been many attempts to eliminate snoring during sleep. For example, there are surgical techniques available which permanently correct snoring problems encountered by individuals. However, most surgical procedures are complicated and invasive, sometimes requiring several hours to complete. While devices have been introduced which help prevent snoring without invasive surgery, they usually involve a mouthpiece that must be clamped. 
   A device for the prevention of snoring must be comfortable for the user to wear and provide for the transmission of air and saliva therethrough. Additionally, the device should be easily applicable and removable and should be cost-effective to produce and purchase. 
   While various gums and dermal patches are available to help stop smoking, some persons may be allergic to such devices and desire some other approach to control smoking. Further, while diet pills may be effective in helping to lose weight or for appetite control, many persons may suffer adverse side effects from taking the pills and desire some other way to help deter between-meal snacking. 
   Thus, a device and method for preventing unwanted oral activity solving the aforementioned problems are desired. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The device and method for preventing unwanted oral activity includes providing and selecting a perforated oral tape, drying the teeth, clenching the teeth, and securing the perforated oral tape to the upper and lower teeth of the user so that the mouth of the user remains closed. 
   The device is an oral tape, which is a flexible sheet of tear-resistant material having an adhesive back surface and a plurality of apertures defined therethrough. A pull tab is disposed on the front surface of the flexible sheet. The oral tape is adapted to adhere to the teeth of a user and secure the lower and upper teeth together so that the mouth of a user remains closed while the user is asleep. The apertures in the tape allow air and saliva to pass therethrough. The adhesive is of a type proven safe for oral use. 
   These and other features of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is an environmental, perspective view of a device for preventing unwanted oral activity according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a cross-section view along line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 . 
   

   Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings. 
   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   The present invention relates to a device and method for preventing unwanted oral activity. As used herein, the term “unwanted oral activity” includes any activity that a person using the device and method wishes to avoid that involves opening the person&#39;s mouth, such as snoring, smoking, snacking, and the like. The method includes the selection of a perforated oral tape, generally designated as  10  in the drawings. The teeth or, at least, the area or areas of the teeth to which the tape must be applied are first dried with a towel or other suitable material. The teeth are then clenched together and the oral tape is positioned upon the upper and lower sets of teeth so that the upper and lower sets of teeth are secured and held firmly to one another. The oral tape thereby keeps the mouth closed during sleep in order to prevent the user from snoring, or while awake to deter smoking or snacking. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the oral tape  10  includes a flexible sheet  12  of tear-resistant material having an adhesive back surface  18  and a plurality of apertures  14  defined therethrough. A pull tab  16  is disposed on the front surface of the flexible sheet to facilitate removal of the tape  10  from the teeth of a user. 
   The flexible sheet  12  can be made from fabric, plastic, rubber, or any other suitable material. The flexible sheet can be any shape and size suitable for securing the upper and lower teeth together. For example, the sheet can be rectangular and have a width that is ¾ inches and a length that is approximately two inches, in order to fit within an average mouth. The back surface of the sheet  12  includes any suitable adhesive which can be adhered to and peeled away from the teeth effectively, and is further safe and hygienic for oral use. The tape may have a pattern of apertures similar to fishnet tape, but the size and number of apertures defined in the sheet  12  may vary within the scope of the invention. For example, the tape may have a checkerboard pattern of apertures such that approximately 50% of the flexible sheet  12  constitutes apertures  14  or open areas through which air and saliva may pass. 
   Since the oral tape is useful for keeping the mouth closed in order to prevent snoring, the oral tape may further be used as an aid to discourage snacking for those who are on a diet and also to discourage smoking for those who wish to refrain from smoking cigarettes. 
   It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.