Mouthguard
AssigneeOpro International Limited
InventorsPaul Swann, Peter Searle
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A “boil and bite” mouthguard including projections to improve molding of the mouthguard to the user's teeth is described. The mouthguard also includes a base-wall configuration that acts to minimize thinning of the base during molding and use of the mouthguard.
Claims17
A mouthguard comprising
- (a) a base;
- (b) an inner wall extending from the inner side of the base;
- (c) an outer wall extending from the outer side of the base;
- and
- (d) a projection extending between and directly connecting the inner wall and the outer wall, wherein the projection comprises a sheet integral with and perpendicular to the base, inner wall and the outer wall.
A method of moulding a mouthguard comprising a base, an inner wall extending from the inner side of the base, an outer wall extending from the outer side of the base and a projection situated between and directly connecting the inner wall and the outer wall, the projection comprising a sheet integral with and perpendicular to the base, inner wall and the outer wall, the method comprising:
- heating the mouthguard to above a deformation temperature of the projection;
- deforming the projection by a user depressing the projection with one or more of their teeth;
- and
- cooling the mouthguard with the projection maintaining its deformed state.
A mouthguard comprising
- (a) a base;
- (b) an inner wall extending from the inner side of the base;
- (c) an outer wall extending from the outer side of the base;
- and
- (d) a projection extending between and directly connecting the inner wall and the outer wall and comprising a sheet of thermoplastic material integral with and perpendicular to the base, inner wall and the outer wall, the thermoplastic material being such that, when a temperature of the mouthguard is raised the projection is deformable by teeth inserted between the inner wall and the outer wall and the projection is maintained in a deformed state once the mouthguard is cooled.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.