BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. FIELD OP THE INVENTION
The present invention is a tongue cleaner constructed from
polymeric material, which can be sterilized, the cleaner having a
plurality of cleaning ridges. Further, the present invention is
constructed from molded or extruded materials suitable for hygienic
human use. The tongue cleaner is configured for easy personal use
or use by an oral hygiene professional.
2. DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
It is well established that a regular practice of oral hygiene
should include the removal or unhealthy and often malodorous oral
deposits and exudates from the surface of the tongue. The prior
art contains numerous examples of apparatus and designs for
cleaning the tongue, however, currently available devices are
likely to damage lingual cilium, tear the tongue, and create
microlesions. Such damage can lead to an increased risk of
bacterial, fungal, yeast or viral infections. When properly used,
the specifically configured cleaning ribs of the present invention
provide gentle, non-abrasive cleaning surfaces.
Several prior art tongue cleaners or scrapers utilize a single
sharp scraping edge to effect the desired cleaning of the tongue.
Tongue scrapers having a single sharp edge are objectionable
because they arc likely to abrade the surface of the tongue or, in
the event of an accident, to cut or tear the soft tissue lining of
the cheeks. Not only is a single sharp edge likely to damage the
surface tissue of the tongue and cheeks, but it also may produce!
great physical discomfort for the user. Exemplary prior art
containing such sharp scraping edges are disclosed in U.S. Patent
No. 0265,506 which issued to Peter G. Finamorc on July 20, 1982;
U.S. Patent No. D285,342 which issued to Clifford J. Audette on
August 26, 1986; U.S. Patent No. D360,262 which issued to Toan K.
Ly on July 11, 1995; and U.S. Patent No. D367,707 which issued to'
Stephen M. Baker on March 5, 1995. U.S. Patent No. 2,583,750,
which issued to Garland D. Kunnels on January 29, 1952, discloses
a tongue cleaning device that has a number of sharp edges for
cleaning debris from the surface of the tongue. Although the
device is fabricated from a polymerized hydrocarbon, no hygienic
materials are described.
In addition, many of the currently available tongue cleaning
devices are uncomfortable and unpleasant to use. Discomfort, such
as gagging or retching, discourages regular tongue cleaning. The
present invention overcomes this disadvantage with an angled head
having cleaning ribs that are pleasant to use. Thus, the present
invention encourages regular oral hygiene. The invention
encourages tongue cleaning to become an accepted daily
constitutional and morning ritual, just as taking a shower and
brushing one's teeth are all part of an essential routine for
commencing a new day.
Another type of cleaning surface is the brush having a number
of bristles for cleaning the tongue. However, the effect of
brushing also may create, physical discomfort for many persons, and
even gagging and retching, particularly with children. Prior art
tongue cleaners that utilize bristled brushes include U.S. Patent
No. D332,352 which issued to Carlene Caldwell et al. on January 12,
1993, and U.S. Patent No. 5,226,197 which issued to Rachel Nack et
al. on July 13, 1993.
The prior art also contains numerous other examples of tongue
scrapers and cleaners. U.S. Patent No. 4,455,704, which issued to
Robert L. Williams on June 26, 1984, describes a toothbrush with a
tongue scraper. This device is unsuitable fcr professional use
because it cannot be sterilized - an imperative quality when the
present invention is used professionally. U.S. Patent No.
5,061,272, which issued to Sandra C. Reese on October 29, 1991,
discloses a stainless steel scraping devices that has an extremely
narrow scraping edge. Such a narrow scraping device necessitates
repetitive scraping motion across the surface of the tongue, which
young children in particular would find exceedingly unpleasant.
U.S. Patent No. 5,445,825, which issued to Phoebe Copelan et al. on
August 29, 1995, discloses a disposable personal dental hygiene
assembly. According to one embodiment, the assembly comprises a
wedge shaped head having a plurality of transverse ribs for
cleaning and massaging the gums and tongue. However, because the
wedge shaped head tapers to a point and the head is not angled with
respect to the handle, it is difficult to reach the back of the
tongue with such an assembly.
French Brevet D'Invention No. 659,404 published by Punke
Aktiengecellschaft on June 28, 1929, describes a number of
embodiments of a device for cleaning the tongue. The device can be
made of several materials including whale bone and wood; however,
none of the embodiments include a device constructed from hygienic
material that can be sterilized. Moreover, all of the embodiments
have a single scraping edge which subjects each of the embodiments
to the above-mentioned problems. German Patentschrift No. 580, 87B,
which issued on June 29, 1933, to Anton Rothctein, describes a
tongue scraper that is "U" shaped and, consequently, particularly
difficult to use.
None of the prior arc enables or teaches one skilled in. the
art to make a tongue cleaner having the broadened nonacute cleaning
surfaces or the hygienic qualities of the present invention. The
present invention combines unique characteristics of construction
and configuration. It is constructed from sanitary materials and
configured in an efficacious manner to permit the user to cleanse
the tongue in manner that is both safe and comfortable. When the
present invention is applied to the tongue, the multiple broad
cleaning ribs dissipate the pressure across the surface of the
tongue, rather than focusing pressure upon an acute location. The
gag reflex is thus greatly reduced, or altogether eliminated.
Consequently, the novel features of the present invention provide
a tongue cleaner for not only cleansing the tongue and palate, but
also creating a pleasant oral sensation that encourages the user to
initiate and maintain a regular regime of lingual hygiene.
None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly
or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as
claimed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a tongue cleaning device that
provides the user (either for personal use or use by the oral
hygienist) a device that is safe, comfortable to use, and sanitary.
Along with important qualities of sanitation, the present invention
is pleasant to use. A plurality of broadened cleaning ribs and an
overall flattened configuration reduce, if not altogether eliminate
the gag reflex when the present invention is drawn across the
surface of the tongue. Importantly, the unique configuration of
the present invention maximizes the physical comfort and pleasure
the user will experience when cleansing the tongue. Users will,
therefore, be inclined to take up a regular regime of improved oral
hygiene.
A tongue cleaning device according to the present invention
comprises a cleaning head that is integral with an elongate handle.
Preferably the handle has a first portion which is disposed for
gripping by a user and a second portion integral with the first
portion and connected to the cleaning head. The first portion is
inclined with respect to the second portion by an angle of
inclination within the range of 135° and 165°, and more preferably
about approximately 150°. The cleaning head is relatively flat and
broad, having a plurality of cleaning ribs depending, from a lower
surface thereof. Each rib has a cleaning surface distal from the
lower surface of the cleaning head. According to one embodiment,
the cleaning surface comprises a pair of conterminous converging
faces that meet and integrally connect along an apex that extends
the length of each rib. The sharpness of the. apex is determined by
the angle of convergence between the converging faces, and
preferably the angle of convergence is nonacute (greater than or
equal to 90°). According to a second embodiment, the cleaning
surface on each of the ribs is arched.
The entire tongue cleaning device is forned of a polymeric
material that may be sterilized (i.e, by chemical treatment,
ultraviolet irradiation, or high temperature and pressure
autoclave). A preferred polymeric material for forming the tongue
cleaning device is a food grade plastic that can withstand the high
temperatures inherent during autoclave sterilization.
' Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to
provide a tongue cleaner that effectively removes from the surface
of the tongue malodorous residues and unhealthy films.
it is another object of the invention to provide a tongue
cleaner that is easy and pleasant to use, which moreover,
encourages a regular regime of complete oral hygiene.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a device
that is made from a polymeric material that is of a food grade
quality and that can bs sterilized.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a. tongue
cleaner having a cleaning head with a plurality of cleaning ribs
that provide uniform pressure across the surface of the tongue
during cleaning.
It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements
and arrangements thereof in an apparatus for the purposes described
which is inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in
accomplishing its intended purposes.
These and other objects 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 a perspective view of the tongue cleaning device.
Fig. 2 is bottom view of the tongue cleaning device showing
the cleaning ribs located on the lower surface of the cleaning
head.
Fig. 3 is a partial cross sectional view of the tongue cleaner
according to line 3-3 in Fig. 2 showing a cross section of the
cleaning ridges and an elevational view of the handle which
illustrates the angle of inclination between the first and second
portions of the handle.
Fig. 4 is side elevational view of a second embodiment of the
tongue cleaning device, with the cleaning head shown in cross
section as in Fig. 3.
Similar reference characters denote corresponding features
consistently throughout the attached drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to the figures by numerals of reference, and first
to Figs. 1-3, 10 denotes generally a tongue cleaning device
according to the present invention. The tongue cleaning device
generally comprises a cleaning head 12 that is integral with an
elongate handle 14. Preferably the entire tongue cleaning device
10 is formed of a polymeric material that may be sterilized (i.e,
by chemical treatment, ultraviolet irradiation, or high temperature
and pressure autoclave). A preferred polymeric material for
forming the tongue cleaning device 10 is a food grade plastic,
which is either molded or extruded to form the device. It should
be apparent from the description below, however, that other
polymeric materials may also be used to form the tongue cleaning
device of the present invention.
The handle 14 may be linear, however, to facilitate ease of'
use for the tongue cleaning device it is preferable for the handle
to be bent. Thus, the handle 14 has a first portion 16 which is
disposed for gripping by a user of the device and a second portion
18 integral with the first portion and connected to the cleaning
head 12. The first portion is inclined with respect to the second
portion by an angle of inclination a (shown in Fig. 3) , which
preferably is within the range of 135° and 165°, and more preferably
about approximately 150°. The angle of inclination is adapted
specifically to permit the use of the present invention without
hitting or abrading the rear portion of the soft palate, which may
induce serious discomfort for the user.
Referring specifically now to Fig. 2, the cleaning head 12 is
shown with its longitudinal axis 20 oriented in a perpendicular
relationship to the handle 14. The cleaning head is relatively
flat and broad, having a flat upper surface 22 {shown in Fig. 3)
and a lower surface 24, as well as a smooth, continuous rounded
edge 28 about its perimeter. Depending from the lower surface 24
is a plurality of cleaning ribs 26 which are oriented in the
direction of the longitudinal axis 20. As shown in the embodiment
of Figs. 1-3, three such ribs., are present in parallel spaced
relation on the lower surface of the cleaning head. Due to the
shape of the cleaning head, the ribs 26 are not equal in length.
Instead, the length of each rib differs from the adjacent rib,
however, each rib extends the length of the cleaning head without
interfering with the continuous rounded edge 28.
Sach rib 26 has opposed ends 32 with opposed lateral surfaces
36 extending the length of each rib (between the opposed ends 32)
integral with the lower surface. Projecting outwardly from between
the opposed lateral surfaces 36 on each rib 26 is a cleaning
surface 40 which is distal from the lower surface. The cleaning
surface 4 0 on each rib 26 is identical for the three ribs shown on
the embodiment of Figs. 1-3. The preferred cleaning surface 40
comprises a pair o£ conterminous converging faces 42 and 44 that
meet and connect along an apex 46 that extends the length of each
rib. As shown in Fig. 3, the sharpness of the apex is determined.
by the relationship between the converging faces 42 and 44. More
specifically, the sharpness of the apex is determined by the angle
of convergence 8 of the converging faces 42 and 44. Preferably the
angle of convergence is nonacute, or greater than or equal to 90°.
An angle of convergence which is nonacute prevents the cleaning
surface from irritating the tissues of the mouth or causing user
discomfort when the tongue cleaning device is used.
In addition to the above features, the handle 14 of each
tongue cleaning device is provided with an aperture 47 that passes
through the first portion 16 of the handle. Aperture 47 allows for
suspension storage of the tongue cleaning device 10 (i.e., on a
hook or the like) when the device is not is use. The first portion
also is provided with gripping means in the form of a rubberized
laminae 48 adhesively secured to the first portion of the handle.
The rubberized laminae 48 facilitates gripping of the handle during
use of the tongue cleaning device 10.
According to a second embodiment shown in Fig. 4, a different
cleaning rib 26' is shown. Instead of having a pair of converging
faces which form a distinct apex, the cleaning surface 40' is
arched. The arched cleaning surface is sufficient to remove debris
from the surface of the tongue, however, it is even less likely to
cause irritation, or other damage to tissues of the mouth.
In use, a user (either . an individual or a trained
professional) may grasp the tongue cleaning device 10 about the
first portion 16 of the handle, and place the cleaning head 12 intc
the mouth with the cleaning surfaces 40, 40' of the ribs resting
against the tongue. With the angled handle having an angle of
inclination (between the first portion and second portion) of about
approximately 150°, the cleaning head of the present invention may
easily reach the back of the tongue. To clean the tongue, a user
will move the device along the surface of the tongue with inward
and outward movement to cause the cleaning surfaces of the ribs to
remove debris and other deposits from the surface of the tongue.
Following use of the tongue cleaning device 10, a professional
hygienist likely will desire to sterilize the device for later
usage. The tongue cleaning device may be washed in a chemical
detergent bath to remove any debris from the cleaning head, and
then sterilized so that tha device may be used again.
Sterilization may occur by any process, such as chemical
disinfection, ultraviolet irradiation, or high temperature
sterilization by an autoclave or the like. The food grade plastics
used to make the tongue cleaning device of the preferred embodiment
is capable of withstanding the effects of high temperature
sterilization in an autoclave.
Because the ribs do not have a sharp cleaning surface, there
is little, if any, risk of causing irritation or other damage to
the tissues of the mouth. Instead, the cleaning surfaces stimulate
the tissue of the tongue to cause a pleasant oral sensation. In
addition, because the cleaning head is substantially flat and
relatively broad, it is difficult and unlikely that insertion of
the device into the mouth will cause the cleaning head to strike
the back of the throat. Thus, the likelihood of discomfort [i.e.,
gagging or retching) is substantially reduced. Furthermore, any
contact that occurs between the rounded edge of the cleaning head
and tissues of the mouth (i.e., cheeks or gums) is also unlikely tc
result in significant trauma to the tissue.
It is to be understood that the present invention is not
limited to the sole embodiment described above, but encompasses any
and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.
I CLAIM:
1. A tongue cleaning device, comprising:
an elongate handle;
a cleaning head integral with said handle, said cleaning head
having a longitudinal axis oriented perpendicular to said handle,
said cleaning head having a lower surface; and
at least one cleaning rib depending from said lower surface,
said cleaning rib being oriented in the direction of said
longitudinal axis, and said cleaning rib having a cleaning surface
distal from said lower surface,
2. The tongue cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein
said handle has a first portion for gripping by a user and a second
portion integral with said first portion which connects said handle
to said cleaning head.
3. The tongue cleaning device according to claim 2, wherein
said first portion is inclined with respect to said second portion
by an angle of inclination.
4. The tonyue cleaning device according to claim 3, wherein
said angle of inclination is between 135° and 165°.
5. The tongue cleaning device according to claim 4, wherein
said angle of inclination is around 150°.
6. The tongue cleaning device according to claim 2, further
comprising gripping means secured to said first portion of said
handle to assist a user in gripping said first portion of said
handle.
7. The tongue cleaning device according to claim 6, wherein
said gripping means comprises a rubberized laminae.
8. The tongue cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein
said handle has an aperture therethrough for suspension storage of
said tongue cleaner during periods of nonuse.
9. The tongue cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein
said tongue cleaning device is formed of a polymeric material.
10. The tongue cleaning device according to claim 9, wherein
said polymeric material is a food grade plastic.
11. The tongue cleaning device according to claim 10, wherein
two or more cleaning ribs depend from said lower surface of said
cleaning head, said cleaning ribs being substantially parallel to
one another.
12. The tongue cleaning device according to claim 1, therein
said cleaning surface on said cleaning rib is arcuate.
13. The tongue cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein
said cleaning surface on said cleaning rib is formed of a pair of
conterminous converging surfaces that connect along a linear apex
said converging surfaces having an angle of convergence which is
nonacute.
14. A tongue cleaning device, substantially as herein
described, particularly with reference to, and as illustrated
in the accompanying drawings.

A tongue cleaning device for personal use or use by an oral
hygiene professional. The device has a relatively flat cleaning
head integral with a handle that preferably is angled to permit
ease of use without causing tissue damage. The cleaning head is
provided with a plurality of cleaning ribs that extend the length
of the cleaning head, which is oriented perpendicular to the
handle. Each of the cleaning ribs depends from a lower surface of
the cleaning head, and each has a cleaning surface configured for
removing unhealthy films and deposits from the tongue. To reduce
the likelihood of damaging tissues of the mouth, the ribs, are
configured without harsh or rough edges, and the cleaning head is
flattened so that the user will not scrape the rear portion of the
soft palate. The tongua cleaning device of the present invention
is made from a polymeric material, such as a food grade plastic,
that will withstand temperatures necessary for sterilization.