Hydrating Mouthguard

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The field of the invention is liquid dispensing mouthguards.

BACKGROUND

The background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

US20230241485 discloses a hydrating mouthguard that has a removable container filled with a consumable substance such as water. The mouthguard conveniently allows athletes to hydrate and consume nutrients while participating in a sport or exercise activity and without taking a break. The mouthguard also has removable reservoir that can be replaced by a new reservoir once depleted. US20230241485 further contemplates that the reservoir can be refilled and reused. However, the designs disclosed therein are susceptible to leaking due to the lack of a seal between the reservoir and the inlet of the mouthpiece. The designs are also susceptible to the introduction of air pockets during refilling. In addition, the mouthpiece designs have tiny spaces that are difficult to clean and can harbor bacteria.

Thus, there is still a need for an improved hydrating mouthguard.

This and all other extrinsic materials discussed herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. Where a definition or use of a term in an incorporated reference is inconsistent or contrary to the definition of that term provided herein, the definition of that term provided herein applies and the definition of that term in the reference does not apply.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The inventive subject matter provides apparatus, systems, and methods in which a hydrating mouthguard has a removable container (e.g., reservoir) that can be easily refilled and reused. The mouthguard has a mouthpiece that is sized and dimensioned to fit within the user's mouth. The mouthguard also has a housing coupled to the front of the mouthpiece such that the housing is positioned outside the user's mouth while the mouthguard is being worn. The container is sized and dimensioned to removably couple with the housing.

The mouthguard also includes a removable tube that fits inside a channel extending through the housing and the mouthpiece. One end of the tube is removably inserted into the channel, and the other end is inserted into an opening of the container. The tube fluidly seals with the opening of the container to prevent the hydrating fluid from leaking. The other end of the tube is removably inserted inside the channel. The tube has an opening at each end that allows the hydrating fluid to pass through it. The end of the tube that is inserted into the container has a large inlet at the tip that allows the fluid to flow from the container into the tube. The end of the tube that is inserted into the channel of the mouthpiece has a small outlet at the tip that allows fluid to flow from the tube to the user's mouth. The outlet is preferably a valve (e.g., duck valve) or slit that remains closed until the tip is squeezed.

In some embodiments, the housing has a backing that hingeably couples with a cover via a flexible connector. The flexible connector allows the cover to transition between an opened position and closed position. When closed, the cover and the backing define an interior space that is sized and dimensioned to hold the container. The cover can removably couple with the backing in the closed position using any suitable fastener, such as a latch-and-tab engagement. However, other removable attachments are contemplated, such as male-female engagements, snap buttons, press-fit engagements, magnets, adhesives, etc.

The channel extends from the interior space of the housing, through the mouthpiece, and into the user's mouth. More specifically, the channel has an inlet (e.g., opening) that is disposed on an interior surface of the backing of the housing where the container is stored, and an outlet (e.g., opening) disposed on a rear exterior surface of the mouthpiece.

The tube has an annular flange disposed between the first end portion of the tube and the second end portion of the tube. The second end portion of the tube has a reduced outer diameter section disposed adjacent to the annular flange, and a shoulder disposed adjacent to the reduced outer diameter section. The shoulder, reduced outer diameter section, and annular flange fluidly seal with the opening of the container. The opening of the container has a reduced inner diameter that mates with the reduced outer diameter of the tube. The shoulder and annular flange of the tube help to hold the reduced inner diameter of the opening of the container onto the reduced outer diameter section of the tube. The tight fitting of the container and tube prevents leaking in the housing and mouthpiece. The annular flange of the tube tightly abuts an interior shoulder surface of the channel of the mouthguard. In some embodiments, the annular flange and the first end of the tube are sized and dimensioned to fluidly seal with the interior surface of the channel.

In other aspects, the first end portion of the tube is sized and dimensioned to extend through the channel and protrude out of the outlet of the channel such that the hydrating fluid is dispensed from the tube directly into the user's mouth without contacting the mouthpiece. The first end portion of the tube can also be tapered to match a taper of the channel.

The tube is made of a flexible material, and the second end portion of the tube has sufficient elasticity to bend when inserted inside the container. The second end portion of the tube preferably has a plurality of corrugations, ribs, or pleats to facilitate bending. The second end portion of the tube is straight (e.g., not tapered) and matches the size and dimension of the channel. It is contemplated that the second end portion of the tube and the second end portion of the channel could be tapered.

Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front, right side, top perspective view of a hydrating mouthguard system in an open position.

FIG. 2 is a rear, right-side, top perspective view of the mouthguard system in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a rear, left-side, bottom perspective view of the mouthguard system in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is front, left-side, bottom perspective view of the mouthguard system in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a front view of the mouthguard system in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a rear view of the mouthguard in FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a left-side view of the mouthguard in FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a right-side view of the mouthguard in FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a top view of the mouthguard system in FIG. 1.

FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the mouthguard system in FIG. 1.

FIG. 11 is a right-side cross-sectional view of the mouthguard system in FIG. 1 taken along line 11-11 in FIG. 5.

FIG. 12 is a front, right-side, top perspective view of a container.

FIG. 13 is a rear, left-side, bottom perspective view of the container in FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a front view of the container in FIG. 12.

FIG. 15 is a rear view of the container in FIG. 12.

FIG. 16 is a left-side view of the container in FIG. 12.

FIG. 17 is right-side view of the container in FIG. 12.

FIG. 18 is a top view of the container in FIG. 12.

FIG. 19 is a bottom view of the container in FIG. 12.

FIG. 20 is a right-side cross-sectional view of the container in FIG. 12 taken along line 20-20 in FIG. 15.

FIG. 21 is a front, right-side, bottom perspective view of a tube.

FIG. 22 is a rear, left-side, top perspective view of the tube in FIG. 21.

FIG. 23 is a left-side view of the tube in FIG. 21.

FIG. 24 is a right-side view of the tube in FIG. 21.

FIG. 25 is a top view of the tube in FIG. 21.

FIG. 26 is a bottom view of the tube in FIG. 21.

FIG. 27 is a front view of the tube in FIG. 21.

FIG. 28 is a rear view of the tube in FIG. 21.

FIG. 29 is a left-side cross-sectional view of the tube in FIG. 21 taken along the line 29-29 in FIG. 28.

FIG. 30 is a front, left-side, top perspective view of the mouthguard system in FIG. 1 in a closed position.

FIG. 31 is a rear, left-side, top perspective view of the mouthguard system in FIG. 30.

FIG. 32 is a front view of the mouthguard system in FIG. 30.

FIG. 33 is a right-side cross-sectional view of the mouthguard system in FIG. 30 with the container in FIG. 12 and the tube in FIG. 21 taken along line 33-33 in FIG. 32.

FIG. 34 is a right-side cross-sectional exploded view of the mouthguard system in FIG. 30 with the container in FIG. 12 and the tube in FIG. 21 taken along line 33-33 in FIG. 32.

FIG. 35 is a right-side cross-sectional view of the container in FIG. 12 coupled with the tube in FIG. 21 taken along line 33-33 in FIG. 32.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following discussion provides example embodiments of the inventive subject matter. Although each embodiment represents a single combination of inventive elements, the inventive subject matter is considered to include all possible combinations of the disclosed elements. Thus if one embodiment comprises elements A, B, and C, and a second embodiment comprises elements B and D, then the inventive subject matter is also considered to include other remaining combinations of A, B, C, or D, even if not explicitly disclosed.

FIGS. 1-11 show various views of a hydrating mouthguard system 100 in an open state. Mouthguard 100 has a mouthpiece 103 and a housing 105. Mouthpiece 103 is sized and dimensioned to fit withing a user's mouth like a typical athletic mouthguard. For example, mouthpiece 103 has a curved shape that matches a person's dental arch. Mouthpiece 103 also has curved side walls on the upper surface that are sized and dimensioned to wrap around, and protect, a person's maxillary teeth. It is contemplated that mouthpiece 103 could also have curved side walls on the lower surface that are sized and dimensioned to wrap around, and protect, a person's mandibular teeth. Mouthpiece 103 also has a plurality of protrusions on the upper surface to provide a gripping texture for the teeth.

Housing 105 is coupled to the front of mouthpiece 103. Housing 105 is positioned outside the user's mouth when mouthpiece 103 is worn within the user's mouth. Housing 105 has a cover 111 that is hingeably coupled with a backing 113 via a flexible connector 112 (e.g., bridge). Cover 111 is transitionable between an open state and a closed state. FIGS. 30-33 show housing 105 in the closed state. Cover 111 has a pair of latches 115 that removably attach to a pair of tabs 114 on backing 113 to secure cover 111 in the closed position. It is contemplated that other removable attachments can be used to secure cover 111 in the closed position without departing from the inventive concepts disclosed herein.

Cover 111 and backing 113 define an interior space when in the closed state. The interior space is sized and dimensioned to hold a container 107 (e.g., reservoir) filled with a hydrating fluid.

FIGS. 12-20 show various views of container 107. The rear surface of container 107 has an opening 118 and a pair of ribs 119. Opening 118 is sized and dimensioned to fit inside inlet 123 on backing 113 of housing 105. Ribs 119 are sized and dimensioned to nest with a pair of grooves 120 on backing 113. The nesting of ribs 119 inside grooves 120 help to keep container 107 from shifting when placed inside housing 105. Ribs 119 also help to prevent the formation of air bubbles when container 107 is being refilled with a hydrating liquid. Container 107 is refilled with a hydrating liquid by placing a funnel in opening 118 and pouring the liquid into the funnel. After container 107 is filled with a liquid, the funnel is removed from opening 118 and a tube 110 is partially inserted into opening 118, as shown in FIG. 35.

FIGS. 21-29 show various views of tube 110. Tube 110 has an annular flange 133 disposed between a first end portion 132 and a second end portion 134. Annular flange 133 is sized and dimensioned to fluidly seal with opening 118 of container 107. More specifically, tube 110 has a reduced outer diameter section 136 that is disposed adjacent to annular flange 133, and a shoulder 137 (e.g., rib) adjacent to reduced outer diameter section 136. Opening 118 of container 107 has a reduced inner diameter 117 that is sized and dimensioned to fit on reduced outer diameter section 136 of tube 110. When second end portion 134 is inserted into opening 118 of container 107, reduced inner diameter 117 of opening 118 tightly grips onto reduced outer diameter section 136 of tube 110, and annular flange 133 and shoulder 137 help to keep reduced inner diameter 117 in place and create a fluid seal. Tube 110 is made of a flexible material and second end portion 134 has a plurality of ribs, corrugations, or pleats, that allow tube 110 to bend inside container 107. The tip of second end portion 134 has a large inlet 135 (e.g., opening) that allows the hydrating fluid to flow into tube 110. The tip of first end portion 132 has a pressure valve 131 (e.g., slit, duck valve) that remains closed until the hydrating fluid reaches a threshold pressure caused by pressing the front of housing 105. Housing 105 has sufficient flexibility to transfer pressure to container 107. Tube 110 acts as a closure for opening 118 and prevents the hydrating liquid from escaping until container 107 is pressed.

Once tube 110 is partially inserted into container 107, first end portion 132 of tube 110 remains outside of container 107. First end portion 132 is sized and dimensioned to fit inside channel 122 in mouthpiece 103, as shown in FIG. 33. Channel 122 has an inlet 123 (e.g., opening) on the front interior surface of backing 113 and an outlet 121 (e.g., opening) on the rear exterior surface of mouthpiece 103. First end portion 132 has a taper angle that matches the taper angle of the inner surface of channel 122 in mouthpiece 103. Annular flange 133 also has a taper angle that matches the taper angle of channel 122. Annular flange 133 is sized and dimensioned to tightly fit with an internal shoulder 124 of channel 122 to create a fluid seal. The length of first end portion 132 is long enough such that valve 131 extends outside of mouthpiece 103 and into the user's mouth.

Mouthpiece 103 also has channels 126 that fluidly couple with channels 127 on the rear surface of backing 113. Channels 126 and 127 allow a user to breath through the user's mouth even when the lips are closed around mouthpiece 103.

FIGS. 30-33 show various views of hydrating mouthguard system 100 in a closed state, with container 107 disposed inside housing 105, and with tube 110 inserted inside housing 105 and channel 122. The cross-sectional view shown in FIG. 33 illustrates the tight-fitting fluid seal between container 107, tube 110, and channel 122.

FIG. 34 shows an exploded cross-sectional view of hydrating mouthguard system 100. FIG. 35 shows a cross-sectional view of tube 110 inserted inside container 107.

Removable valve makes it easier to clean the inside of the housing because there are no small/tight spaces to for liquid and bacteria to hide. Duck valve holds in liquid until squeezed. Containers are refillable and reusable. Funnel is used to refill.

One should appreciate that the disclosed subject matter provides many advantageous technical effects including providing hydration to a person while engaged in physical activity without the need for a break. The hydrating mouthguard disclosed herein allows a user to dispense a hydrating fluid from a reservoir within a housing of the mouthguard by simply pressing against the housing. The hydrating mouthguard also has a removable container/reservoir that can be refilled using a funnel. In addition, the hydrating mouthguard includes a removable tube with a valve that is used to close the opening of the container to prevent liquid from pouring out while loading the container into the mouthpiece. The tube also has an annular flange and reduced outer diameter that fluidly seal with the opening of the container to prevent leaking once the container is loaded into the housing of the mouthguard. The mouthguard design also eliminates small spaces (e.g., crevices), making it easy to clean and safe to reuse.

It should be noted that the mouthguard systems discussed above can be effectively used by individuals in sports, medical, and/or military settings. It is contemplated that the substances within the container can vary depending on the setting. For example, the substance within the container can be nutritional and/or sports enhancement in a sports setting, and dietary, medicinal, nutritional, and/or herbal in a medical or military setting.

As used herein, and unless the context dictates otherwise, the term “coupled to” is intended to include both direct coupling (in which two elements that are coupled to each other contact each other) and indirect coupling (in which at least one additional element is located between the two elements). Therefore, the terms “coupled to” and “coupled with” are used synonymously.

As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

Moreover, and unless the context dictates the contrary, all ranges set forth herein should be interpreted as being inclusive of their endpoints and open-ended ranges should be interpreted to include only commercially practical values. Similarly, all lists of values should be considered as inclusive of intermediate values unless the context indicates the contrary.

It should be apparent, however, to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those already described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the disclosure. Moreover, in interpreting the disclosure all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular the terms “comprises” and “comprising” should be interpreted as referring to the elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps can be present. or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced.