Flavored covering for an oral medical instrument

Abstract

A flavored covering for an oral medical instrument. The covering may be constructed of multiple layers of impervious material joined together, or a single piece of molded impervious material. The covering is flavored with a thin coating of a flavoring agent or a candied flavoring, or the flavoring is impregnated into the cover material. The flavoring encourages the cooperation of a child during the use of an oral medical instrument.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A covering for an oral medical instrument, comprising: 
 a cover having an inner surface adapted to fit the oral medical instrument and having an outer surface opposite the inner surface; and    a package containing the cover, wherein the outer surface is flavored.    
     
     
         2 . The covering of  claim 1 , wherein the oral medical instrument comprises a temperature sensing device.  
     
     
         3 . The covering of  claim 1 , wherein the cover comprises multi-layered, impervious materials.  
     
     
         4 . The covering of  claim 3 , wherein the impervious materials are thermoplastic films.  
     
     
         5 . The covering of  claim 1 , wherein the outer surface is sterile.  
     
     
         6 . The covering of  claim 1 , wherein the package comprises an impervious sterile material.  
     
     
         7 . The covering of  claim 1 , wherein the cover is flavored by a thin coating comprising a flavoring agent, wherein the thin coating is applied upon the outer surface of the cover.  
     
     
         8 . The covering of  claim 7 , wherein the cover has an open end and a closed end and wherein the thin coating is applied over one-fifth to one-half the length of the cover proximal to the closed end.  
     
     
         9 . The covering of  claim 7 , wherein at least the portion of the cover to which the thin coating is applied is textured.  
     
     
         10 . The covering of  claim 7 , wherein the flavoring agent is comprised of a candied flavoring.  
     
     
         11 . The covering of  claim 10 , wherein the candied flavoring includes a sugar substitute.  
     
     
         12 . The covering of  claim 11 , wherein the candied flavoring further included at least one substance selected from the group of polydextrose, caprenin, and vitamins.  
     
     
         13 . The covering of  claim 10 , wherein the amount of the applied candied flavoring is between approximately 1 and 100 grams in weight.  
     
     
         14 . The covering of  claim 1 , wherein the cover comprises a flavoring agent impregnated into the cover.  
     
     
         15 . The covering of  claim 4 , wherein the outer surface comprises one layer of the multi-layered thermoplastic films, and wherein the outer surface is impregnated with a flavoring agent.  
     
     
         16 . An oral medical instrument cover, comprising: 
 one-piece plastic tubular member having a thin side wall, wherein the tubular member is adapted to closely fit an oral medical instrument, and    a sterile package, wherein the tubular member is flavored.    
     
     
         17 . The cover of  claim 16 , wherein the oral medical instrument is a temperature sensing device.  
     
     
         18 . The cover of  claim 16 , wherein the cover is flavored by a thin coating comprising a flavoring agent, wherein the thin coating is applied upon the outer surface of the cover.  
     
     
         19 . The cover of  claim 16 , wherein the tubular member is flavored with a flavoring agent impregnated into the plastic.