Improvements in Devices for Preventing Breathing through the Mouth.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 14th Dec., 1899-Accepted, 27th Jan., 1900
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Devices for Preventing Breathing through the
Mouth.
We, JOSEPHUS HOOPER, of No. 644, Fourth Avenue, and CURRAN POPE, of
227, East Walnut Street, both in Louisville, Kentucky, United States of America,
Physicians, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner
the same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement:-
The object of the invention is to prevent or cure the habit of breathing through
the mouth, and it consists of the hereinafter described appliance to be worn
between the front teeth and the lips during sleep, whereby the entrance of air
into the mouth is prevented even though the lips be parted, and a natural method
of breathing through the nostrils is induced.
The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing where Figure 1
shows the front part of a human face with the lips broken away showing one form
of the device as applied in use. Figure 2 is a perspective view of the same form
of the appliance detached, and Figs. 3, 4 and are, respectively, perspective
and sectional views of another form of the device.
Referring first to Figures 1 and 2, A denotes the device as a whole. One part
of the appliance consists of a thin member a of pliable, yielding, and preferably
elastic material, such as soft rubber, curved as shown in Figure 2 and molded
to shape to fit snugly against the front teeth and gums and to be embraced
between them and the lips. The length of the member is slightly in excess of
the width of the mouth so as to close the corners, and it is of a width sufficient
to extend across the opening between the lips and teeth on to the gums, so that,
even should the lips and teeth fall apart, as often happens during sleep, the
edges of the member will still overlap both the upper and lower teeth and
prevent the entrance of air between them.
As illustrated in these views, the member is curved longitudinally and in
cross section, and the longitudinal curve is preferably on a shorter radius than
the average contour of the teeth and gums, so that in adjusting the device to
position in the mouth the straightening out lengthwise of the member will cause
its upper and lower edges to hug more closely the surfaces of the gums.
The other part of the appliance consists of an outer member 6, similar in
respect of material, construction and shape to the member a and joined to the
latter, along its median line by a fin or connection c of sufficient height to properly
space the two members apart and of a length somewhat less than that of the
members themselves.
Although we have shown the two members as being practically of the same size,
it is obvious that the outer one need not be as wide as the one between the
teeth and gums; indeed, the principal function of the outer member being to
hold the device in place, any width of the same crosswise so as to embrace the
upper and lower lips would be practicable.
If preferred a small ring shown in dotted lines at d may be formed on the
outer side of the appliance through which a cord or string may be run in order
to secure it against being lost, the string being conveniently tied around the
neck or otherwise secured to the person.
The manner of applying and using the device is sufficiently illustrated in

page_text: Figure 1 to require no further description, it being obvious that the only thing
necessary is to adjust the inner member between the front teeth and the lips
when the latter will be embraced between the two members and the device be
held in position by a gentle elastic pressure.
In Figures 3, 4 and 5, we have illustrated a form of the device where the outer
member is dispensed with, and which consists of a single piece of thin soft
flexible rubber a¹ which is curved both longitudinally, as shown in Fig. 5, and
transversely as shown in Fig. 4, and which is molded to shape to fit snugly
between the front teeth and the inner surface of the lips. In this form the outer
member is dispensed with, and the device is secured against loss by a string which
may be fastened to the loop or ring ; and tied around the neck or secured to
the clothes of the wearer.
Excepting as above described, the form shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 5 is in all
respects like that illustrated in the other figures of the drawing, and we desire
and intend the same to be covered by the appended claims.
It is characteristic of the device that the soft, pliable material out of which
it is made and its conformation in shape to the curved line of the teeth permit
it to be worn without discomfort whether asleep or awake.
It is moreover distinguished from hard-plate like devices by its automatic
valve-like action, it being apparent that the inner member acts to prevent exhala-
tion by fitting air-tight against the inner surface of the lips, and the outer
member prevents inhalation by a similar action against the outside of the
lips.
The conformation of the device to the curvature of the lips, teeth and gums
is also such as to prevent distortion of the mouth when in use, and the gentle
pressure with which the two members embrace the lips offers ordinarily sufficient
impediment to their falling apart to keep them closed in a natural position;
but should they separate, notwithstanding, the device remains in position and
the valve-like action of the members prevents breathing through the mouth
as effectually as if the lips were closed."
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that
what we claim is:-
1. A device for preventing breathing through the mouth, the same consisting
of a diaphragm of soft, pliable material shaped to fit between the front teeth
and the inner surface of the lips.
2. A device for preventing breathing through the mouth, the same consisting
of a diaphragm of soft, pliable rubber molded to shape to fit between the front
teeth and the inner surface of the lips.
3. A device for preventing breathing through the mouth, the same consisting
of a member of soft, pliable material adapted to fit between the teeth and the inner
surface of the lips, and a similar member adapted to fit against the outer surface
of the lips, said members being secured together along their median line.
4. A device for preventing breathing through the mouth, the same consisting
of a thin member of soft, pliable, elastic material adapted to fit between the teeth
and the inner surface of the lips, an an auxiliary retaining member of similar
material adapted to fit against the outer surface of the lips, said members being
secured together along their median horizontal line.
Deted this 17th dow of November 1800
JOSEPHUS HOOPER.
CURRAN POPE.
Haseltine, Lake & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicants.