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EP-3945795-B1 - DENTAL STATION AND SYSTEM FOR DOMESTIC ANIMAL DENTAL CARE

EP3945795B1EP 3945795 B1EP3945795 B1EP 3945795B1EP-3945795-B1

Inventors

  • BORG, BRIAN

Dates

Publication Date
20260506
Application Date
20200401

Claims (13)

  1. A dental station (11, 130) for improving domestic animal dental care and oral hygiene, the dental station (11) having: a body (13b) including a supporting structure (13) which includes a plurality of holding formations (42, 43, 236, 237) to receive and support one or more of a plurality of preselected sized and shaped chewable food elements (21, 22a, 22b) in a protruding manner; characterized in that the supporting structure has a plurality of depots (131, 200, 201, A, B) with different ones of the plurality of holding formations (42, 43, 236, 237) to receive and support one or more of a plurality of preselected sized and shaped chewable food elements (21, 22a, 22b) in a protruding manner to encourage use of at least one set of particular teeth of a domestic animal; wherein the dental station is configured such that the domestic animal can progress from depot (200) to depot (201) to achieve cleaning of different sets of particular teeth of the domestic animal.
  2. A dental station (11, 130) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one set of particular teeth of the domestic animal includes at least one of canines, incisors, premolars and molars.
  3. A dental station (11, 130) according to claim 1, wherein the holding formations (42, 43, 236, 237) are located on the supporting structure (13) of at least one of the one or more depots (131, 200, 201, A, B), wherein, in use, the chewable food elements (21, 22a, 22b) extend into the at least one or more of the depots (131, 200, 201, A, B) from a predefined direction and height to be accessible by particular teeth of the domestic animal.
  4. A dental station (11, 130) according to claim 1, wherein the supporting structure (13) includes shaped walls (13a, 13e) configured to define the one or more depots (131, 200, 201, A, B) for a domestic animal and the plurality of holding formations (42, 43, 236, 237) located on the shaped walls (13a, 13e).
  5. A dental station (11, 130) according to claim 4, wherein the chewable food elements extend from the shaped walls (13a, 13e) into the one or more depots (131, 200, 201, A, B) from a desired direction and height within the depot (131, 200, 201, A, B) to both encourage approach by a domestic animal and use of teeth on either side of the animal's mouth.
  6. A dental station (11, 130) according to claim 5, wherein the chewable food elements are held proud of the shaped walls (13a, 13e) by the holding formations (42, 43, 236, 237) located on the shaped walls (13a, 13e).
  7. A dental station (11, 130) according to claim 6, wherein the plurality of chewable food elements are held proud of the shaped walls (13a, 13e) of the supporting structure (13) adjacent at least one protruding teeth engaging formation, wherein as the domestic animal chews the one or more chewable food elements the protruding teeth engaging formation engages the teeth of the domestic animal in a cleaning manner.
  8. A dental station (11, 130) according to claim 7, wherein the at least one protruding teeth engaging formations are resiliently flexible.
  9. A dental station (11, 130) according to claim 7, wherein the at least one protruding teeth engaging formations are tentacle formations.
  10. A dental station (130) according to claim 1, wherein the supporting structure includes shaped floors (13c, 13g) including or adjacent to at least one of the plurality of holding formations.
  11. A dental station (130) according to claim 10, wherein the shaped floors (13c, 13g) aids in tending the domestic animal to approach the one or more of a plurality of chewable food elements held in a protruding manner in a particular direction to encourage use of particular teeth of the domestic animal.
  12. A dental station (11, 130) according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of depots (131, 200, 201, A, B) are formed by the supporting structure (13) in a radiating arrangement from a central point.
  13. A dental station (11, 130) according to claim 12, wherein the central point forms a fixing point by a fixing means able to be received and extend through the supporting structure and connect to the supporting structure.

Description

BACKGROUND Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a dental station for improving domestic animal dental care and oral hygiene. In particular the present invention relates to a dental station and system for aiding maintaining oral hygiene of a domestic pet such as a dog or a cat, and which reduces onset of some form of periodontal disease that can otherwise lead to halitosis and pain. Background of the Invention According to veterinary statistics, by three years of age, most dogs and cats have some evidence of periodontal disease. Periodontal disease in canines is a bacterial infection of the mouth usually progressing from plaque and mildly inflamed gums to established gingivitis, which may ultimately involve bone and/or tooth loss. Periodontal disease (gum disease) is caused by bacterial infection that builds up in plaque which is made up of food particles and saliva. Plaque readily sticks to tooth surface above and below the gum line. If plaque is not removed, minerals in saliva will calcify the plaque into dental calculus (tartar) which firmly attaches to the teeth. Over time bacterial infection in tartar can spread under the gum line. Bacteria in the sub-gingival plaque can cause irreversible changes to occur in the dentition including destruction of supportive tissues and bone, resulting in red gums, swollen gums, receding gums, bleeding gums, bad breath, loosening of teeth, loss of appetite and reluctance to eat. Bacteria under the gum line which if allowed to progress, can enter the blood stream and begin to move around the body causing inflammation in blood vessels, kidneys, heart and brain. In recent years, veterinarians have become increasingly aware of the need for improved canine and feline dental care and regular brushing of a pet's teeth is recommended to prevent decay and gum disease. Many dental tooth brush varieties and dental pastes are available on the market, along with different designs and different formulations. Many pet dental kits come with a microfibre finger cloth with which to start, and with toothpaste and a double headed toothbrush, specifically designed for your pet's mouth. Finger brushes can also be used. However, it is often the case that pet owners and pets find the practice of brushing a pet's teeth distasteful and veterinary recommendations for frequent brushing is generally ignored to the detriment of the animals' teeth and gums. Recognizing the need for improved canine dental care and the reluctance of pet owners to brush their animals' teeth, the pet industry has developed a wide variety of chew toys that provide a cleaning of the dog's teeth and a massaging of its gums. A popular chew toy for such purposes comprises a short length of cotton rope having large knots formed near the ends thereof to resemble a classic dog bone configuration. As the dog chews the toy, the soft cotton rope provides a cleaning and flossing of the dog's teeth however, cotton is not inherently attractive to dogs due to lack of texture. A wide variety of rawhide chew toys, some of which have become very popular, have been developed to be more attractive to dogs. Rawhide is the hide of an animal, such as from cattle, pigs, buffalo, deer or elk, which has not been exposed to tanning. Rawhide has an inherent advantage over cotton in dog chew toys because of the attractiveness of its texture to dogs. Also, rawhide is more abrasive than cotton or rubber material from which chew toys are made, and arguably provides improved plague removal and superior cleaning of the animal's teeth when chewed. However, the rawhide chew toys to date do not provide the beneficial flossing effect of the cotton chew toys. In addition, it is known that domestic animals such as dogs and cats have predominant sides of their rear molars and premolars that they prefer to chew on. Accordingly it is usually the case that the particular preferred side for chewing will benefit from scraping effect of chewing and less plaque and tartar buildup, however the converse is that the non-preferred chewing side will not receive the same benefit. This is a clear disadvantage of conventional chew toys. Whatever side the animal prefers to chew on will leave one side more plaque and tartar buildup; this usually equates to approximately in most cases up to 40% cleaner on one side than the least preferred side to chew on. It would be an advantage to have a system or device that is able to assist cleaning both sides of the jaw more evenly and consistently. Products such as Greenies™ and Dentabones™ encourage your pets to chew, which helps rub plaque off, and also spread protective saliva around teeth. However such products only offer benefits that focus on rear molars and premolars hence front of the teeth such as canines and incisors remain vulnerable target sites for plaque and tartar buildup and periodontal disease. Feeding fresh raw bones and other animal products can greatly aid the hygiene of the mouth. Not every dog or c