CN112515971A

CN112515971A - Flexible pacifier

Info

Publication number: CN112515971A
Application number: CN202010978619.5A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 努里·爱德华·哈基姆; 雅各布·麦克斯·斯克拉尔
Original assignee: Adama International Co ltd
Current assignee: Adama International Co ltd
Priority date: 2019-09-18
Filing date: 2020-09-17
Publication date: 2021-03-19
Also published as: EP3795133A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a flexible pacifier. The pacifier of the present invention comprises a spout and a baffle. The nozzle has an end portion, a shaft portion, and a base portion. The end portion has a length and a width greater than a length and a width of the shaft portion. The base is adapted to connect the suction nozzle to the baffle and has corrugations configured to permit the suction nozzle to move toward and away from the baffle and rotate about a center point of the base.

Description

Flexible pacifier

This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application No. 62/902,108 filed on 9, 18, 2019, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to pacifiers and, more particularly, to flexible pacifiers.

Background

A pacifier is provided to meet the sucking requirements of an infant. Typically, pacifiers are made similar to human nipples and generally include a mouthpiece or nipple, a baffle, and a handle. Many designs of suction nozzle, baffle and handle are known. While many designs resemble the human anatomy, the fact that the pacifier is constructed of a synthetic material limits the ability of the pacifier to function like a human nipple. Accordingly, there is a need for an improved pacifier which may be more ergonomically designed.

Disclosure of Invention

The invention relates to a pacifier. The pacifier of the present invention comprises a spout and a baffle. The nozzle has an end portion, a shaft portion, and a base portion. The base is adapted to connect the suction nozzle to the baffle and has at least one pleat configured to permit the suction nozzle to move toward and away from the baffle and rotate about a center point of the base. In another embodiment, the baffle further comprises an edge comprised of a material having a hardness greater than that of the baffle. In another embodiment, the mouthpiece and baffle are constructed of silicone. In another embodiment, the mouthpiece and baffle are constructed of silicone having a hardness between shore 35 and 55. In another embodiment, the baffle has an edge comprised of a material having a hardness between shore 45 and 80. In another embodiment, the pacifier further comprises a plurality of folds. In another embodiment, the pleats form a hinge in the base with the baffle. In another embodiment, the height of the mouthpiece is no more than twice the diameter of the base.

In another embodiment, a pacifier comprises a spout having an end portion, a shaft portion and a base portion and a baffle having a rim. The end portion is asymmetric and has a length and width greater than a length and width of the shaft portion. The base is adapted to connect the suction nozzle to the baffle and has corrugations configured to permit the suction nozzle to move toward and away from the baffle and rotate about a center point of the base. In another embodiment, the mouthpiece and baffle are constructed of silicone. In another embodiment, the mouthpiece and the baffle are constructed of silicone having a hardness between shore 35 and 55. In another embodiment, the suction nozzle rotates relative to the baffle.

In another embodiment, the pacifier comprises a spout having an end, a shaft and a base, and a baffle having a rim. The end portion and the shaft portion are asymmetric. The end portion has a length and a width greater than a length and a width of the shaft portion. The base is adapted to connect the suction nozzle to the baffle and has a plurality of pleats configured to permit the suction nozzle to move toward and away from the baffle and rotate about a center point of the base. In another embodiment, the end portion has an elliptical cross-section. In another embodiment, the nozzle has a cross-section with a length and a width greater than a length and a width of a cross-section of the shaft portion. In another embodiment, the height of the mouthpiece is twice the diameter of the base. In another embodiment, the corrugations have a diameter that is larger than a diameter of the shaft portion. In another embodiment, the baffle has an edge. In another embodiment, the baffle has an edge with a hardness greater than a hardness of the baffle.

Drawings

Many aspects of the disclosure can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present disclosure. Moreover, in the figures, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a front plan view of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a rear plan view of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a left plan view of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a right plan view (mirror image on the left) of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a bottom plan view of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 3; and

fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view of line 10-10 in fig. 3.

Detailed Description

Reference will now be made in detail to a description of the embodiments as illustrated in the drawings. While several embodiments are described in connection with these figures, there is no intent to limit the disclosure to the embodiment or embodiments disclosed herein. On the contrary, the intent is to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents.

Referring now to fig. 1 and 2, there are rear and front perspective views, respectively, of one embodiment of the present invention showing a pacifier 10. The pacifier 10 includes a spout or nipple 12, a baffle 14 and a handle 16. The nozzle 12 further includes an end 18, a shaft 20, and a base 22. The baffle 14 further includes a plate 24 and an edge 26. The panel 24 has a front surface 36 which in use is adjacent the face of the infant and a rear surface 38 opposite the front surface 36. The base 22 further includes at least one pleat 28. The base 22 is adapted to connect the nipple 12 to the baffle 14 and has at least one pleat 28 configured to permit the nipple 12 to move toward and away from the baffle 14 and rotate about a center point 40 (fig. 3) of the base 22. The base 22 also includes a hinge 42 that facilitates the transition provided by the pleats 28. In an alternative embodiment, a plurality of pleats 28 may be provided. The baffle 14 includes openings 30, also referred to as vents, which permit air flow toward the front surface 36. In a preferred embodiment, the nipple 12 and plate 24 are constructed of a soft, flexible material, such as silicone, having a hardness measurement between shore 25 and 55, preferably shore 45. In a preferred embodiment, the rim 26 is preferably formed of a harder material, typically having a hardness measurement in the range of shore 55 to 85, preferably shore 80. The edge 26 may be overmolded onto the baffle 14 as is well known to those skilled in the art. The corrugations 28 in the base 22 permit the nipple 12 to twist in multiple directions (twisting) about a fixed center point 40. For example, the corrugations 28 permit the nipple 12 to not only move toward and away from the front surface 36 of the baffle 14, it also permits the nipple 12 to move horizontally.

Referring now to fig. 3 and 4, which are front and rear plan views, respectively, of an embodiment of the present invention, the pacifier 10 will be described in more detail. Nipple 12 is shown in the middle of plate 24 of baffle 14. Preferably, the nipple 12 is asymmetrical with the end portion 18 having a length and width greater than the length and width of the shaft portion 20. However, it should be understood that a symmetrical or circular nipple 12 is within the scope of the present invention. Display board 24 has an opening 30 and an edge 26 that forms the outer edge of baffle 14 along the periphery of board 24. The shank 16 is secured to the baffle 14. While the particular shape shown for the handle 16 is considered preferred, any suitable shape for the handle 16 is within the scope of the present invention. The display nipple 12 has an end 18 in the form of an oval. At the root 32 of the shaft 20, the base 22 with the corrugations 28 is fixed to the plate 24 of the baffle 14. The base 22 is adapted to connect the nipple 12 to the baffle 14, and the corrugations 28 are configured to permit the nipple 12 to move toward and away from the baffle 14 and rotate about a center point 40. In a preferred embodiment, the height of the nipple 12 is at least twice the diameter of the base. In a preferred embodiment, the pleats 28 have a diameter that is greater than the diameter of the shaft portion 20. The particular contour or shape of pleats 28 is not functional, and other contours or shapes are within the scope of the present invention.

Referring now to fig. 5 to 8, there are left and right plan views and top and bottom plan views, respectively, of an embodiment of the present invention showing the shape and contour of the nipple 12 in more detail. The end 18 of the nipple 12 is enlarged to more closely resemble a human nipple, but then narrows at the shaft portion 20 and then enlarges at the root portion 32. This shape permits the pacifier to occupy the mouth of the child while allowing the lips and gums to hold the pacifier 10 tight at the shaft portion 20 and the enlarged root portion 32 along with the baffle 14 limits the pacifier from being sucked too deeply into the child's mouth. In a preferred embodiment, the height of the nipple 12 is at least twice the diameter of the base 22. The pleats 28 impart a high degree of flexibility to the nipple 12. Not only does the corrugations 28 permit the nipple 12 to move more toward and away from the baffle 14 than conventional pacifiers, the corrugations also impart multiple degrees of freedom along the plane of the baffle 14.

Referring now to fig. 9 and 10, cross-sectional views along lines 9-9 and 10-10 of fig. 3, respectively, illustrate specific details of nipple 12 and in particular pleats 28. The end 18 of the nipple 12 is shown having two different cross-sections that conform to the oval shape of the preferred embodiment. Similarly, the shaft portion 20 is also shown to have two different cross-sections. The root portion 32 connects the shaft portion 20 to the base portion 22 at the bottom portion of the shaft portion 20. The base 22 is attached to the baffle 14 at a junction 34. The pleats 28 of the base 22 are shown forming a concertina pleat shape, but other shapes are within the scope of the invention. The pleats 28 permit longitudinal as well as horizontal movement of the nipple 12, providing a high degree of flexibility. The display baffle 14 has a panel 24 and an edge 26. In a preferred embodiment, handle 16 is constructed of the same material as plate 24 and nipple 12.

While exemplary embodiments have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that several changes, modifications, or alterations to the disclosure as described may be made. Accordingly, all such changes, modifications and alterations should be seen as within the scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A pacifier, comprising:

a suction nozzle and a baffle;

the nozzle has an end, a shaft, and a base;

the base is adapted to connect the suction nozzle to the baffle and has at least one pleat configured to permit the suction nozzle to move toward and away from the baffle and rotate about a center point of the base.

2. The pacifier according to claim 1 further comprising a handle attached to said baffle.

3. The pacifier according to claim 1 wherein said baffle further comprises a rim comprised of a material having a greater hardness than said baffle.

4. A pacifier according to claim 1 wherein said spout and baffle are comprised of silicone.

5. A pacifier according to claim 1 wherein said spout and baffle are comprised of silicone having a hardness between 35 and 55.

6. A soother as claimed in claim 1 in which the baffle has an edge formed of a material having a hardness of between 45 and 80.

7. The pacifier according to claim 1 further comprising a plurality of pleats.

8. A pacifier according to claim 1 wherein said folds form hinges with said baffle in said base.

9. A pacifier according to claim 1 wherein the height of said spout is no more than twice the diameter of said base.

10. A pacifier, comprising:

a nozzle having an end, a shaft, and a base, and a flapper having an edge;

the end portion is asymmetric and has a length and width greater than a length and width of the shaft portion;

the base is adapted to connect the suction nozzle to the baffle and has corrugations configured to permit the suction nozzle to move toward and away from the baffle and rotate about a center point of the base.

11. A pacifier according to claim 10 wherein said spout and baffle are comprised of silicone.

12. A pacifier according to claim 10 wherein said spout and baffle are comprised of silicone having a hardness between 35 and 55.

13. A pacifier according to claim 10 wherein said spout rotates relative to said baffle.

14. A pacifier, comprising:

a nozzle having an end, a shaft, and a base, and a flapper having an edge;

the end portion and the shaft portion are asymmetric;

the end portion has a length and a width greater than a length and a width of the shaft portion;

the base is adapted to connect the suction nozzle to the baffle and has a plurality of pleats configured to permit the suction nozzle to move toward and away from the baffle and rotate about a center point of the base.

15. A soother as claimed in claim 14 wherein the end portion has an elliptical cross-section.

16. A pacifier according to claim 14 wherein said spout has a cross section with a length and width greater than the length and width of the cross section of said shaft portion.

17. A pacifier according to claim 14 wherein the height of said spout is at least twice the diameter of said base.

18. A pacifier according to claim 14 wherein the diameter of the folds is greater than the diameter of the shaft portion.

19. A soother as claimed in claim 14 in which the baffle has an edge.

20. A pacifier according to claim 14 wherein said baffle has an edge which is harder than the hardness of said baffle.