DE202022100619U1 - Inhalation attachment and inhalation system - Google Patents

Abstract

Inhalation attachment (100) for attaching to a pacifier (470) for infants and small children, with
- a base unit (110) attachable to the pacifier (470),
- an absorbent pad (130), and
- a cap (120) which is detachably attached to the base unit (110) in such a way that the cap (120) and base unit (110) together form an interior space (124) for the absorbent pad (130), the base unit (110) has a holding area (115) with a holding opening (116) for introducing and holding the absorbent insert (130) and a reservoir area (118) for providing a liquid to be inhaled, the absorbent insert (130) being filled by filling the holding opening (116) closes the reservoir area (118) in such a way that the liquid to be inhaled leaves the reservoir area (118) to a number of circulation openings (126) of the inhalation attachment (100) essentially via the absorbent insert (130) when it evaporates.

Description

The invention relates to an inhalation attachment for attaching to a pacifier for babies and small children. Furthermore, the invention relates to an inhalation system for infants and small children.

The use of pacifier attachments to provide infants and young children with inhalants such as baby oils is known. Such an attachment is typically glued to such a pacifier. The attachment contains an interior space into which the inhalant is introduced prior to use. For example, the inhalant can be slowly evaporated overnight in the immediate vicinity of the nose of the wearer of the pacifier.

EP 0406505 A1 describes a pacifier with a hollow body on the side of a pacifier collar remote from a mouthpiece. The cavity formed by the hollow body has circulation openings and can contain an absorbent insert.

The object of the present invention is to provide an improved inhalation attachment, in particular an inhalation attachment with improved evaporation properties.

According to the invention, an inhalation attachment for attaching to a pacifier for babies and small children is proposed to solve this problem, with a base unit that can be attached to the pacifier, an absorbent insert and a cap.

The cap is detachably attached to the base unit in such a way that the cap and base unit together form an interior space for the absorbent insert. The base unit has a holding area with a holding opening for inserting and holding the absorbent insert and a reservoir area for providing a liquid to be inhaled, the absorbent insert closing the reservoir area by filling the holding opening in such a way that the liquid to be inhaled essentially evaporates leaves the reservoir area via the absorbent pad to a number of circulation openings of the inhalation attachment.

Within the scope of the invention, it was recognized that the position of the absorbent insert within the inhalation attachment influences the evaporation properties of the inhalation attachment and the effective provision of the liquid to be inhaled. Holding the absorbent insert in the holding opening according to the invention ensures that this insert provides a fixed, predetermined surface for ventilation and therefore for the liquid to be inhaled to evaporate via the insert.

In this way, a particularly large surface for ventilation can advantageously be provided in order to make the liquid to be inhaled available to the wearer of the pacifier with the inhalation adapter as quickly as possible.

Furthermore, the provision of the reservoir area allows excess liquid to drain out of the absorbent insert. This ensures that the liquid is always in the designated area of the inhalation adapter.

The simple structure of the inhalation adapter according to the invention allows a particularly simple and inexpensive automated manufacture. In addition, the structure allows the inhalation adapter to be clearly arranged and to function simply, so that error-free use on infants or small children is ensured.

The fact that the base unit is attachable to a pacifier means that it can be attached to the pacifier via a detachable or non-detachable connection. The use of a detachable connection with the pacifier advantageously allows use on a pacifier that the infant or small child is familiar with and which can be restored to its original state after inhalation, preferably without leaving any residue.

The interior space formed by the cap and base unit describes a volume that can essentially only be in contact with the surroundings of the inhalation attachment through the number of circulation openings.

The absorbent pad can be a pad made for this purpose, such as a fleece ball, a felt cylinder or the like. Alternatively, the absorbent insert can be, for example, an absorbent household object, such as part of a cotton swab or the like.

The number of circulation openings comprises at least one, preferably at least three, circulation openings.

The liquid to be inhaled is preferably baby oil and/or a preparation made with oil and intended for inhalation by small children and infants.

Preferred embodiments of the inhalation attachment according to the invention are described below.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the inhalation attachment, the absorbent insert is a felt cylinder. In this embodiment, the absorbent insert can be produced particularly easily and inexpensively. In addition, felt allows a particularly reliable absorption and evaporation of the liquid to be inhaled.

In another particularly preferred embodiment of the inhalation attachment, the base unit has an outer attachment surface for attaching the inhalation attachment to the pacifier using an attachment means, in particular an adhesive film or a number of suction cups. A particularly reliable attachment can be ensured by providing an attachment surface. In addition, such a mounting surface allows a predetermined position of the number of circulation openings relative to the pacifier. The number of suckers preferably comprises at least 2, preferably at least 3 suckers.

In an advantageous variant of the two previous embodiments, the holding area is designed to hold the felt cylinder standing vertically above the fastening surface. As a result, a particularly large surface area of the felt cylinder can be used for ventilation and evaporation.

In an advantageous embodiment of the inhalation attachment according to the invention, the base unit has an insertion aid in the region of the holding opening, in particular an insertion aid in the shape of a truncated cone, for inserting the absorbent insert into the holding opening. Such an insertion aid allows the absorbent pad to be inserted particularly easily. The insertion aid tapers in the direction of the reservoir area until the insertion aid ends at the holding opening. The truncated cone-shaped insertion aid tapers correspondingly conically up to the holding opening.

In one embodiment of the inhalation attachment, the fastening means is arranged in an impression of the fastening surface. This predetermined position of the fastening means enables reliable fastening. In addition, a particularly large projection of the fastening means beyond the outer profile of the fastening surface is also avoided.

The fastening means according to the invention is preferably a multilayer adhesive film, in particular an adhesive film with a foam layer. A multi-layer adhesive film can advantageously have a protective grid and/or a foam layer in addition to the actual adhesive layer. The foam layer enables the multi-layer adhesive film to be advantageously adapted to the surface shape of the pacifier. In this way, reliable attachment of the inhalation attachment according to the invention can be ensured for pacifiers of different shapes. In addition, the foam layer allows a certain flexibility to prevent the inhalation attachment from twisting during use.

In a preferred embodiment, the cap is releasably connected to the base unit via a positive connection, in particular via a screw connection. The use of a rotary thread enables the cap to be detached and attached from the base unit in a particularly simple manner. Alternatively or additionally, the form-fitting connection can be designed as an anti-rotation lock. In this way, the inhalation attachment can be protected from being accidentally opened by the baby or infant.

In a preferred embodiment, the base unit is generally frusto-conical in shape. A base unit shaped in this way is particularly compact and can advantageously have the reservoir area according to the invention at the base of the resulting truncated cone, whereas the upper area of the truncated cone forms the holding area with the holding opening. A simple geometry can thus form the base unit according to the invention in a robust manner.

In a preferred embodiment of the inhalation attachment according to the invention, the number of circulation openings is arranged on a side of the inhalation attachment that faces away from the pacifier during operation, in particular on the cap. This ensures that the liquid to be inhaled is brought into the vicinity of the infant's or small child's nose and is not accidentally dripped directly into the area of the nose. In addition, it is avoided that the liquid to be inhaled is inadvertently guided to the mouth of the small child or infant via the pacifier geometry.

In an advantageous embodiment of the inhalation attachment according to the invention, the cap consists at least partially of a fluorescent material. As a result, the inhalation attachment can be found quickly in the dark and may have a calming effect on the wearer of the pacifier.

The cap of the inhalation attachment can advantageously be used for an imprint. Such an imprint can relate to a motif suitable for children, such as an animal, or a manufacturer's logo or the like. Due to the arrangement of the print on the cap, it is always good visible while using the inhalation attachment.

In an advantageous embodiment, the inhalation attachment according to the invention also has an additional cap which can be arranged on the cap via a detachable connection, the additional cap surrounding the cap when connected to the cap in such a way that the evaporation of the liquid to be inhaled from the inhalation attachment is reduced is. Such an additional cap can reduce the evaporated volume flow of the liquid to be inhaled through additional circulation openings or the selected material of the additional cap. As a result, the additional cap advantageously enables at least two different operating modes of the inhalation attachment with two different vaporized volume flows. For example, the inhalation attachment according to the invention can be prepared differently for particularly young babies than for older small children.

In a further embodiment, the inhalation attachment according to the invention also has a power-driven fan unit which is arranged in the interior of the inhalation attachment. Such a ventilator unit can control, in particular accelerate, the desired evaporation of the liquid to be inhaled. The necessary current is provided, for example, by a battery and/or by a permanently installed accumulator. In an example of this embodiment, the accumulator is connected to a USB charging device for charging the accumulator.

In a further embodiment, the base unit can be attached to a handle of the pacifier via a chain-like attachment means. In this way, an easy-to-release connection with the pacifier can be made possible.

According to a further aspect of the invention, an inhalation system for infants and small children is proposed for solving the above-mentioned problem, with an inhalation attachment according to at least one of the preceding exemplary embodiments and with a pacifier for infants and small children. The inhalation attachment and the pacifier are connected to each other.

This inhalation system according to the invention includes the inhalation attachment according to the invention and therefore has all the advantages of this attachment. In addition, providing the pacifier and inhalation system together can enable the attachment means of the inhalation attachment to be matched to the geometry of the pacifier. A particularly reliable connection between the inhalation attachment and the pacifier can thereby be possible.

The connection between the inhalation attachment and the pacifier is preferably detachable, for example provided by a number of suction cups and/or adhesive layers. Alternatively, in some exemplary embodiments, the connection is provided permanently, that is to say it cannot be released or is difficult to release, for example by means of a screw connection, welding or the like.

• 1 eine schematische Darstellung eines ersten Ausführungsbeispiels eines erfindungsgemäßen Inhalationsaufsatzes;
• 2 eine Schnittdarstellung einer Basiseinheit des ersten Ausführungsbeispiels des erfindungsgemäßen Inhalationsaufsatzes;
• 3 eine schematische Darstellung eines zweiten Ausführungsbeispiels des erfindungsgemäßen Inhalationsaufsatzes;
• 4 eine schematische Darstellung eines Ausführungsbeispiels eines Inhalationssystems gemäß einem weiteren Aspekt der Erfindung.

The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to advantageous exemplary embodiments that are shown schematically in the figures. Of these show in detail:

• 1 a schematic representation of a first embodiment of an inhalation attachment according to the invention;
• 2 a sectional view of a base unit of the first embodiment of the inhalation attachment according to the invention;
• 3 a schematic representation of a second embodiment of the inhalation attachment according to the invention;
• 4 a schematic representation of an embodiment of an inhalation system according to a further aspect of the invention.

1 shows a schematic representation of a first exemplary embodiment of an inhalation attachment 100 according to the invention. The schematic representation has a section through the base unit 110 and cap 120 in order to clarify the structure of these components of the inhalation attachment 100 .

The inhalation attachment 100 can be attached to a pacifier for babies and small children via the base unit 110 . For this purpose, the base unit 110 has an outer attachment surface 112 for attaching the inhalation attachment 100 to the pacifier via an attachment means (not shown). In the present case, a multi-layer adhesive film, in particular an adhesive film with a foam layer, is provided as the fastening means. The fastening surface 112 has an indentation 114 in the area of the fastening surface 112 in which the multilayer adhesive film is to be attached for use on the pacifier.

On the side facing away from the fastening surface 112, the base unit 110 has a holding area 115 with a holding opening 116 for inserting and holding the absorbent insert 130. The holding opening 116 is ring-shaped and the absorbent insert is cylindrical in the present case. A diameter DH (see 2 ) of the retaining opening 116 and a through diameter DE of the absorbent insert 130 is approximately the same, namely between 1.5 mm and 10 mm, in particular between 2 mm and 6 mm.

In the present case, the cylindrical absorbent insert 130 is a felt cylinder. The ring-shaped holding opening 116 stands above the fastening surface 112 in such a way that the felt cylinder is held standing vertically above the fastening surface 112 after it has been inserted into the inhalation attachment. This ensures particularly good ventilation of the absorbent insert 130 . In addition, excess liquid, such as excess baby oil, can run out of the absorbent pad.

Furthermore, the base unit 110 has a reservoir area 118 for the liquid to be inhaled, for example baby oil. Due to the selected dimensions of absorbent insert 130 and holding opening 116, the absorbent insert 130 closes the reservoir area 118 by filling the holding opening 116 in such a way that the liquid to be inhaled leaves the reservoir area 118 essentially via the absorbent insert 130 when it evaporates. Excess liquid can drain back into the reservoir area 118 through the present arrangement.

The cap 120 is detachably fastened to the base unit 110 via a screw connection 122, preferably via a screw connection with a child-rotation lock. In an alternative embodiment, the cap is releasably attached to the base unit via a plug or clamp connection. According to the invention, the cap 120 and the base unit 110 together form an interior space 124 in which the absorbent insert 130, the holding area 115 and the reservoir area 118 are also located.

The cap 120 has a number of circulation openings 126 through which the liquid to be inhaled leaves the inhalation attachment 100 as it evaporates. In the present embodiment, the number of circulation holes 126 is slit-shaped. Contamination of the interior space 124 can be avoided by such small circulation openings. Due to the arrangement on the cap 120, the number of circulation openings 126 is arranged on a side of the inhalation attachment 100 that faces away from the pacifier during operation.

In the present case, the base unit 110 is designed essentially in the shape of a truncated cone, which results in a particularly compact structure of the inhalation attachment 100 . The cap 120 is essentially hemispherical and can thereby accommodate the holding area 115 of the base unit 110 in the connected state in the hemispherical volume formed.

Finally, the holding area 115 has an insertion aid 119 in the shape of a truncated cone around the holding opening 116 . This allows the absorbent insert 130 to be inserted particularly easily into the holding opening 116 before the inhalation attachment 100 is used.

The cap and base unit can be made of metal or plastic, for example. For example, these components can be produced by an injection molding or a 3D printing process.

2 shows a sectional view of a base unit 110 of the first exemplary embodiment of the inhalation attachment 100 according to the invention.

The sectional view illustrates the structure of the in 1 The base unit 110 shown schematically. In addition to the embossing 114, the insertion aid 119 can also be seen.

2 further illustrates that the base unit 110 can be provided with a cavity 240 between the reservoir area 118 and the mounting surface 112 .

The absorbent insert can have a diameter that is slightly larger than the diameter of the holding opening 116, so that the absorbent insert 130 is pressed somewhat in the area of the holding opening.

3 shows a schematic representation of a second embodiment of an inhalation attachment 300 according to the invention. The cap 320 is not yet screwed onto the base unit 110 in the arrangement shown.

In contrast to the inhalation attachment 100 according to the first exemplary embodiment, the inhalation attachment 300 has a cap 320 with a fluorescent surface. The cap 320 is made of a fluorescent material.

In addition, the inhalation attachment 300 has an additional cap 350, which can be arranged on the cap 320 via a detachable connection 352, the additional cap 350 surrounding the cap 320 when connected to the cap 320 in such a way that the evaporation of the liquid to be inhaled from the Inhalation attachment 300 is reduced. For this purpose, the additional cap 350 has a number of additional circulation openings (not shown). The detachable connection 352 is a plug-in connection through which the additional cap 350 can be plugged onto the cap 320 via a snap-in mechanism

Finally, the inhalation attachment 300 also includes a power-driven fan unit 360 which is arranged in the interior of the inhalation attachment 300 . In this way, the volume flow of the evaporated liquid can be controlled. The necessary current is provided by a battery or an accumulator. The accumulator can be charged, for example, by a USB charging station integrated in the inhalation attachment 300.

In an exemplary embodiment that is not shown, the base unit can be attached to a handle of the pacifier by means of a chain-like attachment means. The chain-like fastening means can be, for example, a cord, a band, a chain or the like.

4 FIG. 4 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of an inhalation system 400 according to a further aspect of the invention.

The 400 inhalation system is for infants and young children who are ready to sleep with a 470 pacifier. The inhalation system 400 comprises an inhalation attachment 100 according to at least one of the preceding exemplary embodiments and a pacifier 470 for babies and small children, with the inhalation attachment 400 and pacifier 470 being connected to one another.

The connection between the inhalation attachment 400 and the pacifier 470 can be detachable or permanent. Examples of detachable connections are an adhesive bond, a plug-in connection and/or attachment via a number of suction cups.

Examples of permanent connections are a weld and/or a connection via a number of screws.

Reference List

100, 300

inhalation attachment

110

base unit

112

mounting surface

114

imprint

115

holding area

116

holding hole

118

reservoir area

119

insertion aid

120,320

cap

122

Screw connection/positive connection

124

inner space

126

Number of circulation openings

130

absorbent insert

240

cavity

350

auxiliary cap

352

Detachable connection

360

fan unit

400

inhalation system

470

dummy

EN

diameter of the insert

DH

Hole diameter

QUOTES INCLUDED IN DESCRIPTION

This list of documents cited by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent Literature Cited

• EP 0406505 A1 [0003]

Claims (15)

Inhalation attachment (100) for attaching to a pacifier (470) for infants and small children, with - a base unit (110) attachable to the pacifier (470), - an absorbent pad (130), and - a cap (120) which is detachably attached to the base unit (110) in such a way that the cap (120) and base unit (110) together form an interior space (124) for the absorbent pad (130), the base unit (110) has a holding area (115) with a holding opening (116) for introducing and holding the absorbent insert (130) and a reservoir area (118) for providing a liquid to be inhaled, the absorbent insert (130) being filled by filling the holding opening (116) closes the reservoir area (118) in such a way that the liquid to be inhaled leaves the reservoir area (118) to a number of circulation openings (126) of the inhalation attachment (100) essentially via the absorbent insert (130) when it evaporates. Inhalation attachment (100) according to claim 1 wherein the absorbent pad (130) is a felt cylinder. Inhalation attachment (100) according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the base unit (110) has an outer attachment surface (112) for attaching the inhalation attachment (100) to the pacifier (470) via an attachment means, in particular via an adhesive film or a number of suction cups. Inhalation attachment (100) according to the claims 2 and 3 , wherein the holding area (115) is designed to hold the felt cylinder standing vertically above the mounting surface (112). Inhalation attachment (100) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the base unit (110) in the region of the holding opening (116) has an insertion aid (119), in particular an insertion aid in the shape of a truncated cone, for inserting the absorbent insert (130) into the holding opening (116). . Inhalation attachment (100) according to claim 3 , wherein the fastening means is arranged in an indentation (114) of the fastening surface (112). Inhalation attachment (100) according to claim 3 or 6 , wherein the fastening means is a multi-layer adhesive film, in particular an adhesive film with a foam layer. Inhalation attachment (100) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the cap (120) is detachably connected to the base unit (110) via a positive connection (122), in particular via a rotary thread. An inhalation attachment (100) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the base unit (110) is substantially frusto-conical. Inhalation attachment (100) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the number of circulation openings (126) is arranged on a side of the inhalation attachment (100) remote from the pacifier (470) during operation, in particular on the cap (120). Inhalation attachment (300) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the cap (320) consists at least partially of a fluorescent material. Inhalation attachment (300) according to at least one of the preceding claims, further comprising an additional cap (350) which can be arranged on the cap (320) via a detachable connection (352), the additional cap (350) being connected to the cap (320) connected state surrounds the cap (320) in such a way that the evaporation of the liquid to be inhaled from the inhalation attachment (300) is reduced. Inhalation attachment (300) according to at least one of the preceding claims, further comprising a power-driven fan unit (360) which is arranged in the interior (124) of the inhalation attachment (300). Inhalation attachment (100) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the base unit (110) can be attached to a handle of the pacifier (470) via a chain-like attachment means. Inhalation system (400) for infants and young children, with an inhalation attachment (100) according to at least one of the preceding claims and with a pacifier (470) for infants and young children, the inhalation attachment (100) and pacifier (470) being connected to one another.

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