Gel filled teething device

• US 5,782,868 A
• Filed: 04/02/1997
• Issued: 07/21/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 04/02/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Cool Baby Inc
• Original Assignee: Cratus Dewayne Jr. Moore, Kristi Lynn Moore
• Inventors: Moore, Cratus Dewayne Jr., Moore, Kristi Lynn
• Primary Examiner(s): Thaler, Michael H.
• Application Number:
  US08/832,410
• Time in Patent Office: 475 Days
• Field of Search: 606/235, 606/234, 606/236
• US Class Current: 606/235
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 17/001 Baby-comforters
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 17/02 Teething rings
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 2200/42 Heating means
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 2200/44 Cooling means

Abstract

An improved teething apparatus having a constant pliability over a broad temperature range whereby the pliability of the teething device remains substantially constant regardless of its temperature is provided. The teething device includes a resilient, fluid impervious body member sized to be received in a mouth of an infant. A body of self-sustaining, non-flowable, pliable gel is disposed in the interior cavity of the body member such that the body of gel substantially fills an interior cavity of the body member. The body of gel is characterized by the properties of maintaining the self-sustension and pliability over a temperature range of from about -20° to 215° F. whereby the body member and the body of gel can be heated or cooled over a temperature range of from about -20° to 215° F. without substantially altering the resilience of the body member and the pliability of the body of gel.

Claims

1. A teething device, comprising:

a resilient, fluid impervious body member sized to be received in a mouth of an infant, the body member having an interior cavity; and

a body of self-sustaining, non-flowable, pliable gel disposed in the interior cavity of the body member such that the body of gel substantially fills the interior cavity, the body of gel characterized by the properties of maintaining the self-sustension and pliability over a temperature range of from about -20°

to 215°

F. whereby the body member and the body of gel can be heated or cooled over a temperature range of from about -20°

to 215°

F. without substantially altering the resilience of the body member and the pliability of the body of gel.

2. The teething device of claim 1 wherein the body member is ring shaped.

3. The teething device of claim 2 further comprising a handle constructed of a rigid plastic material and secured to a portion of the body member.

4. The teething device of claim 1 wherein the body member is the shape of a nipple.

5. The teething device of claim 4 further comprising a handle constructed of a rigid plastic material and secured to a portion of the body member.

6. A method of manufacturing a teething device, comprising the steps of:

forming a resilient, fluid impervious body member having an interior cavity and sized to be received in a mouth of an infant;

forming a body of self-sustaining, non-flowable, pliable gel within the interior cavity of the body member such that the body of gel substantially fills the interior cavity, the body of gel being characterized by the properties of maintaining the self-sustension and pliability over a temperature range of from about -20°

to 215°

F. whereby the body member and the body of gel can be heated or cooled over a temperature range of from about -20°

to 215°

F. without substantially altering the resilience of the body member and the pliability of the body of gel; and

sealing the body of gel within the interior cavity of the body member.

7. A method of administering a thermal treatment within a mouth, comprising the steps of:

providing a resilient, fluid impervious body member sized to be received in the mouth and filled with a body of self-sustaining, non-flowable, pliable gel being characterized by the properties of maintaining the self-sustension and pliability over a temperature range of from about -20°

to 215°

F. whereby the body member and the body of gel can be heated or cooled over a temperature range of from about -20°

to 215°

F. without substantially altering the resilience of the body member and the pliability of the body of gel;

treating the body member and the body of gel by altering the temperature of the body member and the body of gel to a level significantly above or below body temperature while maintaining the pliability of the body member and the body of gel; and

introducing the body member into the mouth and applying the body member and placing the body member in close proximity to a selected portion of the mouth for heating or cooling of the selected portion.