AN ADORNMENT FOR ORTHODONTIC BRACES

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention generally relates to the field of decorative accessories and adornments. More particularly, the present invention relates to the field of decorative accessories and ornaments for orthodontic apparatuses.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Improving orthodontic health as well as esthetics frequently require wearing orthodontic apparatuses such as, for example braces, retainers, clamps and the like. Most braces usually comprise brackets, which are attached (usually glued) to the teeth and an arched orthodontic wire that connects the brackets. [0003] Many people and especially children and teen-age individuals may be reluctant to wear orthodontic braces, especially since they are usually required to wear them continually for quite long periods. For example, many patients may wear orthodontic braces for more than six months or even a year.

[0004] To overcome the esthetical and reluctance issues discussed above and/or to enhance the sense of fun, decorative ornaments that can be attached to the braces are provided. Most ornaments or apparatuses for decorating parts of orthodontic braces, disclosed in the art, are targeted at covering the brackets or at least some of the brackets of the braces. For example, a patent by Feller, Jejediah M. number WO 119385. Feller discloses an attachment for orthodontic appliances that can be fastened to the braces' wire and that contain spacing designs (lumen) to receive the braces' bracket. Feller's attachments can be placed over the braces' wire in front of the braces' bracket to cover or decorate the bracket's front. Feller's attachment is removable and can be attached to the brackets' wire by hanging the back of the

attachment in various ways over the wire. The attachment comprises a space that allows the receiving of the bracket. While Feller's attachments may enhance the sense of fun when wearing and removing the removable attachments and when replacing different designs - Feller's attachments may endanger the brackets installation. Since the brackets are attached to the surface of the tooth, usually by gluing the bracket to the surface, frequent removing and wearing the attachments over the brackets may weaken the glue's grasp upon the tooth or damage the angle and tilt at which the bracket is positioned.

[0005] Furthermore, since feller's attachment covers the bracket - meaning that at least part of the attachment is seated in front of the bracket's front surface - the attachment is seated closer to the buccal cavity and other mouth-inner-tissues than the bracket and therefore, the attachment may increase the risk of damaging and irritating this tissue.

[0006] Another removable bracket's attachment, by Cheng-Tsung Chang

Patent number US5160260, discloses a removable bracket protector that is made of silicone and is worn over the bracket in order to cover it and to protect the buccal cavity from developing ulcers by preventing the metal brackets from touching the inner buccal cavity. Chang's invention involves the same difficulties and hazards raised by Feller's invention, regarding the damages that may be caused to the position and quality of attaching the apparatus to the bracket itself. Moreover, Chang's protector does not include fun features that may facilitate the, patient in regarding the orthodontic braces as a "cool" or a fun accessory.

[0007] To avoid damaging the brackets when removing attaching apparatuses and to create a fun accessory to enjoy, a patent number US 5240413 by Leslie A. Ashinoff discloses a decorative mouth braces that comprises affixed decorative

objects that are attached to the orthodontic braces. While Ashinoffs decorative objects are placed between the brackets and do not cover the brackets and facilitate in avoiding damaging said brackets - the decorative objects are affixed to the braces and cannot be replaced or removed according to fashion, comfort and the like. Since the decorative objects for orthodontic braces are also targeted at providing a fun to use and wear accessories and since, many people enjoy replacing their accessories - Ashinoffs decorative objects may be "worn out" in terms of fashion and loose its value as an accessory over time, since Ashinoffs objects are interweaved into the braces and hence are affixed to the braces.

[0008] A patent number GB2341324 by Mossley Valery discloses a tooth correction device that comprises a decorative feature, where the decorative feature can be a removable piece that is attached to the device by means of clips. Mossley does not disclose the way in which the clips are attached to the braces or whether the clips are attached to the wire or to the brackets. Furthermore, Mossley does not mention the position of the decorative feature on the braces. Mossley's decorative feature does not include any mechanism or substances that may facilitate in preventing irritation of the buccal cavity caused either by the decorative feature and / or by the brackets of the braces.

[0009] The braces' decorative or protective objects in the related art, as shown above, may provide some of the beneficial features for decorating the braces providing a fun replaceable accessory and protecting the buccal cavity from developing ulcers, none of the inventions discussed in the related art combine all those benefits together. None of the related arts provides a removable decorative accessory object that protects the buccal cavity or other inner parts in the mouth from

contacting the decorative object and that can be placed between the brackets rather than in front of them - avoiding damaging said brackets.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The present invention is a novel removable adornment for orthodontic braces that may be fastened to the braces' orthodontic wire between the braces' brackets. The adornment may comprise a front member that may be made of a protective material such as, for example, an elastomeric material to facilitate in preventing irritation of the inner buccal cavity (the inner side of the cheeks); and a removable fastening member that may connect to the front member and that may allow fastening to the braces' wire. The fastening member may be made of a more solid material than the material that comprises the front member. [0011] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the fastening member may comprise at least two wings that may create an area or a niche that can receive the braces' wire. To remove the adornment from the wire, the individual may pull the adornment outwardly.

[0012] The adornment described in the following invention may be easily pulled out and attached to the braces' orthodontic wire. Since the adornment is removable, the individual that wears it may replace it with various types of colors designs and materials. The elastomeric material of which the front member may be made of - can facilitate in avoiding irritating the buccal cavity caused by the adornment — an extremely common reaction of the buccal cavity to solid foreign objects in the mouth. The placing of the adornment between the brackets facilitates in avoiding damaging the quality of the brackets' positioning and attaching. [0013] The fastening member's design may encompass an area that allows holding of the wire. The shape and size of the area created by the fastening member may be designed to fit the shape and size of the wire to allow a secure holding of the wire.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] The subject matter regarded as the invention will become more clearly understood in light of the ensuing description of embodiments herein, given by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of the present invention only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein

Fig. 1 is a schematic illustration of a removable adornment for orthodontic braces, according to some embodiments of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a schematic illustration of a side view of a removable adornment for orthodontic braces, according to some embodiments of the present invention. Fig. 3 is a schematic illustration of a fastening member, according to some embodiments of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a schematic illustration of a back view of a removable adornment for orthodontic braces, according to other embodiments of the present invention. Fig. 5 is a schematic illustration of a side view of a removable adornment for orthodontic braces, according to other embodiments of the present invention. [0015] The drawings together with the description make apparent to those skilled in the art how the invention may be embodied in practice. [0016] An embodiment is an example or implementation of the inventions.

The various appearances of "one embodiment," "an embodiment" or "some embodiments" do not necessarily all refer to the same embodiments. Although various features of the invention may be described in the context of a single embodiment, the features may also be provided separately or in any suitable combination. Conversely, although the invention may be described herein in the context of separate embodiments for clarity, the invention may also be implemented in a single embodiment

DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS OF SOME EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0017] The present invention is a removable adornment 100 for orthodontic braces. Adornment 100 may comprise a front member 10 and a fastening member 20 that may be fastened to a wire 50 of orthodontic braces. Fastening member 20 may be easily removed from wire 50 by pulling fastening member 20 away from wire 50. Front member 10 may be a decorative piece attached to fastening member 20. [0018] While the description below contains many specifications, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather as exemplifications of the preferred embodiments. Those skilled in the art will envision other possible variations that are within its scope. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined not by the embodiment illustrated, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.

[0019] Reference in the specification to "one embodiment", "an embodiment", "some embodiments" or "other embodiments" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiments is included in at least one embodiments, but not necessarily all embodiments, of the inventions. It is understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is not to be construed as limiting and are for descriptive purpose only. [0020] The principles and uses of the teachings of the present invention may be better understood with reference to the accompanying description, figures and examples. It is to be understood that the details set forth herein do not construe a limitation to an application of the invention. Furthermore, it is to be understood that the invention can be carried out or practiced in various ways and that the invention

can be implemented in embodiments other than the ones outlined in the description below.

[0021] It is to be understood that the terms "including", "comprising",

"consisting" and grammatical variants thereof do not preclude the addition of one or more components, features, steps, or integers or groups thereof and that the terms are to be construed as specifying components, features, steps or integers. The phrase "consisting essentially of", and grammatical variants thereof, when used herein is not to be construed as excluding additional components, steps, features, integers or groups thereof but rather that the additional features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof do not materially alter the basic and novel characteristics of the claimed composition, device or method.

[0022] If the specification or claims refer to "an additional" element, that does not preclude there being more than one of the additional element. It is to be understood that where the claims or specification refer to "a" or "an" element, such reference is not be construed that there is only one of that element. It is to be understood that where the specification states that a component, feature, structure, or characteristic "may", "might", "can" or "could" be included, that particular component, feature, structure, or characteristic is not required to be included. [0023] Where applicable, although state diagrams, flow diagrams or both may be used to describe embodiments, the invention is not limited to those diagrams or to the corresponding descriptions. For example, flow need not move through each illustrated box or state, or in exactly the same order as illustrated and described. [0024] Methods of the present invention may be implemented by performing or completing manually, automatically, or a combination thereof, selected steps or tasks. The term "method" refers to manners, means, techniques and procedures for

accomplishing a given task including, but not limited to, those manners, means, techniques and procedures either known to, or readily developed from known manners, means, techniques and procedures by practitioners of the art to which the invention belongs. The descriptions, examples, methods and materials presented in the claims and the specification are not to be construed as limiting but rather as illustrative only.

[0025] Meanings of technical and scientific terms used herein are to be commonly understood as by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention belongs, unless otherwise defined. The present invention can be implemented in the testing or practice with methods and materials equivalent or similar to those described herein.

[0026] Any publications, including patents, patent applications and articles, referenced or mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated in their entirety into the specification, to the same extent as if each individual publication was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated herein. In addition, citation or identification of any reference in the description of some embodiments of the invention shall not be construed as an admission that such reference is available as prior art to the present invention.

[0027] Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 schematically illustrate removable adornment 100 for orthodontic braces, according to some embodiments of the present invention. According to the embodiments illustrated in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, adornment 100 may comprise:

- a front memberlO that may be of any design, color and texture;

- a removable fastening member 20 that may be connected to or integrated with front member 10 and that may allow fastening to the braces' wire 50.

Fastening member 20 may be made of a more solid material than the material that comprises front member 10.

[0028] Fastening member 20 may comprise at least two wings 22 that create a wire-receiving area 25. Area 25 may allow receiving wire 50 as well as pulling fastening member 20 from wire 50 in order to remove it. The design of wings 22 may allow wearing adornment 100 by sliding fastening member 20 upon wire 50 until wire 50 is caught in area 25.

[0029] According to embodiments of the present invention, as illustrated in

Fig. 2, the edge part of wing 22 may be thicker than the rest of wing 22 creating a protrusion 23. The combined wings 22 placed opposite to each other create area 25 in which wire 50 may be placed, where protrusions 23 allow holding wire 50 within area 25.

[0030] To facilitate in preventing irritation of the inner buccal cavity - front member 10 may be made of a protective material that may be softer than the material of which fastening member 20 is made, according to some embodiments of the present invention. For example, front member 10 may be made of an elastomeric material, which a polymer-based material that has elastic properties. The elasticity and softness of front member 10 may facilitate in smoothing the contact between the buccal cavity and front member's 10 outer surface.

[0031] Alternatively, front member 10 may comprise a softer or elastomeric coating, where only the outer surface of front member 10 or parts of the outer surface may be coated with smooth, soft and / or elastomeric materials to protect the buccal cavity (or other inner parts of the mouth) from being irritated by front member 10. [0032] Fig. 3 schematically illustrates fastening member 20 for orthodontic braces, according to other embodiments of the present invention. Faster's 20 wings 22

may be curved in a spiral like shape that may be flexible enough to open and closes outwardly and inwardly respectively - to receive wire 50 or to be removed from wire

50.

[0033] Additionally or alternatively, fastening member's 20 outer surface 24 may comprise a sunken part, as illustrated in Fig. 3, to receive a jewelry piece or that may be painted or coated with any color or paint, for example luminous colors that create the appearance of a precious stone and the like.

[0034] According to embodiments of the present invention, surface 24 may be attached to any kind of front member 10 by any kind of attaching mechanism that is known in the art.

[0035] Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 schematically illustrate removable adornment 100 for orthodontic braces, according to additional embodiments of the present invention.

Fastening member 20 may be constructed of several separated wings 22. According to the example given in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 fastening member 20 may be comprised of three separate wings 22. Each wing 22 includes protrusion 23. Fastening member 20 may be defined, according to these embodiments, as the combination of all opposing wings 22, where the lower part of opposing wings 22 create area 25 that allows receiving wire 25 and protrusions 23 allow holding wire 50.

[0036] According to embodiments of the present invention, fastening member

20 may be a combination of several intervening opposing wings 22. For example, as illustrated in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5, each opposing wing 22 may be seated between two opposite wings 22. In the illustrated example of Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 three wings 22 are provided, where the middle wing is seated between two opposing wings 22.

[0037] Front member 10 of adornment 100 may be designed in any design and dimensions that allow seating adornment 100 between the braces' brackets.

[0038] Front member 10 of adornment 100 may comprise any number of parts that are combined together to be attached to or integrated with fastening member 20. [0039] According to embodiments of the present invention, fastening member

20 may be constructed of any material that is known in the art that allows holding to wire 50. Additionally or alternatively, at least part of fastening member 20 for example, the back part, may be constructed of or coated by special materials that facilitate in avoiding erosion of the tooth by fastening member 20. For example, elastomeric materials may coat the parts of fastening member 20 that are exposed to the teeth.

[0040] According to some embodiments of the present invention the front part of front member 10 may be made of solid materials such as, for example, metal, glass, plastic and the like.

[0041] According to additional embodiments of the present invention, at least part of adornment 100 may comprise teeth protecting or mouth-refreshing materials such as, for example mouthwash, toothpaste and the like. The protecting and / or mouth-refreshing materials may be stored in a dispensable removable container attached to adornment 100. Alternatively, the mouthwash materials may be stored within a pre-designed containing cavity that is curved in adornment 100 where the cavity can be refilled with the mouth- protective and refreshing materials. Alternatively, adornment 100 and / or the containing tool of the refreshing and protective material may be dispensable.

[0042] According to embodiments of the present invention adornment 100 may be dispensable.

[0043] According to some embodiments of the present invention, front member 10 may be removable, so as to allow fitting different front members 10 to

various fastening members 20. For example, using the same fastening member 20 and attach fastening member 20 to different types of front members 10. Additionally or alternatively, the same front member 10 may be attached to various fastening members 20 to allow the patient to choose the most comfortable or protective fastening member 20 and fit them to his favorite front members 10. To allow the removing of front member 10 from fastening member 20, any type of attaching mechanisms known in the art may be used. For example, fastening member 20 may be attached to front member 10 by means of magnets - where the two components are magnetic and allow sticking to one another due to the pulling force of the magnets. According to some embodiments of the present invention, front member 10 may comprise a marking indicating the fastening direction. For example, front member 10 may have a curved slit indicating that adornment 100 should be worn where the slit is parallel to wire 50.

[0044] According to embodiments of the present invention, the shape and size of area 25 may be designed to fit the insertion and holding of wire 50. For example, some of the wires 50 used for orthodontic braces are rectangular in shape. Area 25 may be designed in a rectangular shape to allow a secure holding of wire 50 as the example illustrated in Fig. 1-3. According to other wires 50 designs - that may be cylindrical, for example, area 25 may be cylindrical. According to preferred embodiments of the present invention, the length of adornment 100 - meaning the substantial distance between the front surface of front member 10 and the edge of fastening member 20 may be smaller than the length of the brackets - so that adornment 100 may not protrude the frame-width of the braces and its brackets. Meaning that the maximal thickness of the side cross section of adornment 100 is substantially smaller than the thickness of the side cross section of the brackets that are installed in the braces.

[0045] While the invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather as exemplifications of some of the preferred embodiments. Those skilled in the art will envision other possible variations, modifications, and applications that are also within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should not be limited by what has thus far been described, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.