APPARATUS FOR SANITIZING ORAL APPLIANCES

• US 20110020175A1
• Filed: 03/25/2009
• Published: 01/27/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/25/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Glen Sheldon Gerald Collard, Robert Michael Skinner
• Original Assignee: Glen Sheldon Gerald Collard, Robert Michael Skinner
• Inventors: Skinner, Robert Michael, Collard, Glen Sheldon Gerald
• Granted Patent: US 8,685,318 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 422/24
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/10 Ultraviolet radiation
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/202 Ozone
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/24 Apparatus using programmed or automatic operation

Abstract

An apparatus for sanitizing oral appliances is provided. The apparatus includes a housing movable between open and closed positions, at least one ultraviolet light source for emitting one or more sanitization means within the sanitizing chamber, and at least one power source for powering the ultraviolet light source. In the open position the housing allows insertion of the appliance, and in the closed position the housing defines a sanitizing chamber. The apparatus may include an appliance suspension system. The apparatus may include a reflective interior surface provided on at least a portion of the sanitizing chamber. The ultraviolet light source may be adapted to generate ozone within the sanitizing chamber. The apparatus may include control circuitry connecting the ultraviolet light source to the power source for the purpose of activating and deactivating the ultraviolet light source.

Claims

1. An apparatus for sanitizing an oral appliance, characterized in that it comprises:

(a) a housing movable between open and closed positions, the housing in the open position allowing insertion of the oral appliance, the housing in the closed position defining a sanitizing chamber;

(b) an oral appliance suspension system;

(c) at least one ultraviolet light source capable of emitting one or more sanitization means within the sanitization chamber; and

(d) at least one power source for powering the at least one ultraviolet light source.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, characterized in that the at least one ultraviolet light source emits one or more of ultraviolet light or ozone gas in the sanitizing chamber as the one or more sanitization means, and said at least one ultraviolet light source is protected from contact with other items by a shield.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, characterized in that the appliance suspension system comprises one or more of the following:

(a) a first platform for holding the oral appliance in a virtually central position within the sanitizing chamber when the housing is in the closed position;

or

(b) opposing first and second platforms for holding the appliance in a virtually central position within the sanitizing chamber when the housing is in the closed position,

whereby the appliance suspension system facilitates virtually uninhibited access to the oral appliance by the one or more sanitization means to ensure all over sanitization of the oral appliance.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, characterized in that at least one of:

the first platform;

or the first and second platform;

comprises a substantially open surface adapted to allow the one or more sanitization means to pass therethrough.

7. The apparatus of claim 3, characterized in that at least one of the first and second platforms is flexible for accommodating appliances of varying sizes.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, characterized in that at least one of the first and second platforms comprises elastic members.

10. The apparatus of claim 3, characterized in that the first and second platforms are in accordance with one of the following:

(a) the position of one of the first or second platforms is fixed relative to the housing, and the other of the first or second platforms is spring biased towards the one of the first or second platforms;

or

(b) the first and second platforms are biased towards one another.

11. The apparatus of claim 3, characterized in that the first and second platforms are removable from the housing.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, characterized in that the at least one power source is connected to a control circuitry,

wherein the control circuitry connects the power source to the ultraviolet light source to activate the ultraviolet light source if one or more of the following occurs:

(a) the housing is in the closed position and a manual switch is engaged; and

(b) the housing is in the closed position during a preset activation time; and

wherein the control circuitry disconnects the power source from the at least one ultraviolet light source to deactivate the ultraviolet light source at one or more of the following;

(c) when the housing is in the open position;

(d) after the duration of a preset activation time; and

(e) after the manual switch is disengaged for activating the ultraviolet light source.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, characterized in that it further comprises one or more indicators connected to the control circuitry for indicating if the ultraviolet light source transitions from activated to deactivated states, wherein the one or more indicators may be one or more of the following:

(a) one or more indicator lights; and

(b) one or more audible indicators.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, characterized in that the housing comprises an upper portion and a lower portion that are one or more of the following:

(a) movable to define the open and closed positions; and

(b) connected by a hinge, and further comprise a detent or fastener for maintaining the upper and lower portions in the closed position.

17. The apparatus of claim 15, characterized in that the ultraviolet light source is secured to the upper portion, and said ultraviolet light source is secured to a divider and the divider is secured to the upper portion, and wherein the power source and a control circuitry are disposed generally between the divider and the upper portion.

19. The apparatus of claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises a status light for indicating if the ultraviolet light source is activated.

22. The apparatus of claim 1, characterized in that the housing includes a gap sized to accommodate a mouth guard tether when in the closed position and a spring-loaded tab for sealing the gap when the housing is in the closed position.

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24. An apparatus for sanitizing an oral appliance, characterized in that it comprises:

(a) a housing movable between open and closed positions, the housing in the open position allowing insertion of the appliance, the housing in the closed position defining a sanitizing chamber;

(b) an appliance suspension system;

(c) at least one ultraviolet light source capable of emitting one or more sanitization means within the sanitization chamber;

(d) at least one power source for powering the ultraviolet light source; and

(e) at least one reflective interior surface provided on or in the sanitizing chamber, whereby the one or more sanitization means may be reflected within the sanitizing chamber.

25. The apparatus of claim 24, characterized in that one or more of the at least one reflective interior surface facilitates scattering of the one or more sanitization means, said at least one reflective interior surface comprising at least one of the following:

(a) a polyhedral surface;

(b) a curvilinear surface;

(c) a first reflective interior surface proximate to the at least one ultraviolet light source, and a second reflective interior surface spaced apart from the first reflective interior surface, said first and second reflective surfaces being provided on one of the following;

(i) opposing sides of the sanitizing chamber;

or

(ii) a removeable tray.

37. The apparatus of claim 24, characterized in that the ultraviolet light source is adapted to emit UV light having a wavelength of about 100 to about 280 nanometers, or about 170 to about 260 nanometers, or about 175 to about 220 nanometers, or about 180 to 190 manometers.

38. The apparatus of claim 24, characterized in that the ultraviolet light source comprises at least one UVC bulb.

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41. A method of utilizing an apparatus to sanitize an oral appliance, characterized in that it comprises the steps of:

(a) manipulating a housing of the apparatus to an open position to facilitate access to an oral appliance suspension system;

(b) placing the oral appliance in the oral appliance suspension system;

(c) manipulating the housing of the apparatus to a closed position, whereby the oral appliance is positioned virtually centrally within a sanitization chamber that is defined within the housing when the apparatus is in the closed position;

(d) activating at least one ultraviolet light source to emit one or more sanitization means within the sanitization chamber;

(e) sanitizing the oral appliance by application of the sanitization means to the oral appliance;

(f) deactivating the at least one ultraviolet light source by one of the following;

(i) manipulating the housing of the apparatus to an open position;

(ii) terminating a duration of a preset activation time;

(iii) disengaging a manual switch connected to a control circuitry, whereby the at least one ultraviolet light source is deactivated; and

(iv) disengaging a power source from providing power to the at least one ultraviolet light source.