EP2708221B1 - Dummy - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a pacifier.

Pacifiers (also called "soothers") are commonly used to nurture and calm children's non-nutritive sucking needs. Pacifiers have a flexible absorbent that is designed to be placed in the mouth. The suction part is attached at its rear end to a sign that should rest against the lips and the adjacent part of the face of the child, so that the pacifier is not completely sucked in by the child. The shield has holes that allow air to pass so that the child can breathe when the pacifier enters the mouth. The holes also reduce the risk that the pacifier will be sucked into the larynx.

When sucking, the mouth shield is pressed against the lips and the adjacent part of the face. Especially with prolonged, intensive use, this can lead to footprints and skin irritation. This can be enhanced by saliva, which exits the child's mouth while suckling. The drainage of saliva is hindered by the pacifier's shield.

The USD 548,847 describes a soother with a shield having a central mounting portion and a frame surrounding the mounting portion, which is connected at the top and bottom with the outer edge of the mounting portion. Between the frame and the mounting portion two large openings are present. In this pacifier, the contact area between the sign and the mouth of the child is smaller than in conventional pacifiers with plate-shaped mouth shield, the only small Has holes. Nevertheless, even with this pacifier skin irritation and imprints may occur.

WO2009 / 002535 A2 describes a pacifier with a shield having a mounting portion, an arcuate frame and an opening between the mounting portion and frame. The frame extends at a distance around the outer edge of the attachment portion, is connected at the top at two ends to the outer edge of the attachment portion. The opening occupies the space between the frame and the attachment section. From the mounting portion is a flexible suction part.

WO 2009/053699 A1 describes another pacifier with the above features, wherein additionally the arcuate frame is connected at the bottom via a vertical web to the mounting portion.

WO2010 / 011146 A1 describes a pacifier in which the shield are pierced by two lateral and one lower slot, each extending arcuately around the projecting from the center of the shield suction part around.

Based on this, the object of the invention is to provide a pacifier which better avoids skin irritations and marks on the skin.

The object is achieved by a pacifier with the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the pacifier are specified in subclaims.

The pacifier according to the invention has a shield having a mounting portion, an arcuate frame and an opening between the mounting portion and the frame, the frame extending at a distance around the outer edge of the mounting portion, the frame at the top at two ends with the outer edge of the mounting portion is connected and the opening occupies the distance between the frame and mounting portion, and a projecting from the attachment portion, flexible suction member, characterized in that the frame has a region of reduced wall thickness extending in its Hauptausdehnungsrichtung around the mounting portion.

The pacifier according to the invention has a shield, a mounting portion and a frame with a large opening therebetween. The peculiarity of the invention is that the frame extends arcuately at a distance around the attachment portion and is only connected at the top at its two ends to the outer edge of the attachment portion. Since the space between the frame and the attachment portion is occupied by the opening, the opening extends around the entire attachment portion to the both ends of the frame. Since the frame below its two ends no connection with the attachment section has, the support area of the frame is reduced and increases the opening. The reduced contact surface causes little skin irritation and marks. Through the large opening, the skin is better ventilated below the shield. It is particularly advantageous that the opening extends below the attachment portion, because escaping saliva from the mouth can flow through the opening below the attachment portion. Thus, the enlarged opening also contributes significantly to the reduction of skin irritations and marks. In addition, the large opening facilitates the control of the child's mouth during sucking. The attachment of the frame at the top of the outer edge of the attachment portion is not a problem, because this area rests above the upper lip, where little saliva comes. This connection of the frame with the attachment portion can be performed sufficiently stable without affecting the skin, so that the frame does not break off.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the two ends of the frame above the suction member are connected to the outer edge of the attachment portion. This allows the frame to extend far around the outer edge of the attachment portion. According to a preferred embodiment, the two ends of the frame are connected to the apex region of the outer edge of the attachment portion. The apex area is the area of the attachment portion that is highest when using the pacifier.

According to a further embodiment, the frame surrounds the attachment portion at the bottom and on both sides in a large arc, passes through the top of both sides of the attachment portion a small arc and is then connected at its two ends to the attachment portion. In the area of the large arch, the frame has one or more large radii of curvature and in the area of small arch has the frame one or more smaller radii of curvature. This design ensures that the frame is supported evenly around the mouth and above the mouth leaves sufficient free space for the nose area.

According to a further embodiment, the two ends of the frame are connected at a distance from each other with the attachment portion. This embodiment also favors the clearance for the nose area.

According to the invention, the frame has a region of reduced wall thickness extending in its main extension direction around the attachment portion. This area is preferably rigid or flexible like a membrane. Preferably, the area of reduced wall thickness is formed by an outer groove in the outside of the frame and / or by an inner groove in the inside of the frame. In the area of reduced wall thickness, the shield is not or only with reduced contact pressure on the skin. In addition, this area allows the outflow of saliva. This further reduces skin irritation and marks. Nevertheless, the frame has sufficient stability required to avoid breakage because it is held together by the area of reduced wall thickness.

According to a further embodiment, the region of reduced wall thickness terminates at a distance from the two ends of the frame, which are connected to the attachment portion. According to a preferred embodiment, the area of reduced wall thickness terminates below the small arches traversed by the frame. As a result, the particularly stressed upper end portions of the frame, which in any case do not contribute significantly to skin irritation and marks, are not weakened by a reduced wall thickness.

According to a further embodiment, the shield is transparent in the area of reduced wall thickness. This makes it easier to check the child's mouth when sucking.

According to a further embodiment, the fastening portion has an elliptical outer edge, wherein the main axis of the ellipse in use is aligned horizontally and the minor axis vertical. This embodiment is advantageous in terms of the abutment of the shield on the mouth and the adaptation of the contour of the attachment portion to the arcuate frame.

According to a further embodiment, the frame is in the region in which it surrounds the attachment portion at a distance, connected on both sides to the vertical by spaced inner webs with the outer edge of the attachment portion, which have a smaller wall thickness than the frame. The inner webs improve the stability of the shield. Nevertheless, they do not hinder the flow of saliva, because their wall thickness falls below the wall thickness of the frame. Preferably, the inside of the inner webs relative to the inside of the frame and the mounting portion is offset outwardly or closer to the outside of the shield. With the arrangement of the inner webs on both sides of the vertical plane with distance from each other, an outflow of saliva through the opening below the attachment portion is not hindered by the inner webs. According to a preferred embodiment, the inner webs are arranged below the center of the attachment portion. In an attachment section with an elliptical contour, the center is the intersection of the major axis with the minor axis. According to a further embodiment, the longitudinal axis of the inner webs encloses with a vertical axis through the center of the mounting portion an angle of +/- 50 ° to 90 °, preferably from about +/- 65 °. This orientation of the inner webs is particularly advantageous for the stability of the shield saliva drainage and ventilation.

According to a further embodiment, the frame in the region of reduced wall thickness on outer webs, which extend in the direction of the inner webs and have a smaller wall thickness than the frame. Preferably, the inside of the outer webs is offset from the inside of the frame to the outside. The outer bars further stabilize the frame without increasing the contact pressure of the frame on the skin and affecting salivary flow.

According to a further embodiment, the pacifier on a ring and the ring about a horizontal pivot axis pivotally mounted on the shield storage means. On the ring, the pacifier can be easily pulled out of the mouth.

According to a further embodiment, the ring at a distance from the means for storing on a latching projection which is latched behind the inner edge of the frame. When the ring is locked to the frame, a child is less likely to pull the pacifier out of the mouth. An adult can deliberately snap the ring in order to use it to pull out the pacifier.

According to a further embodiment, the ring on an outwardly projecting Entriegelungsvorsprung for releasing the locking connection of the ring with the frame. An adult can lift the unlocking tab with his fingertip or a fingernail, which facilitates loosening the ring.

According to one embodiment, the ring has an outwardly projecting Entriegelungsvorsprung for releasing the locking connection of the ring with the shield. An adult can lift the unlocking tab with his fingertip or a fingernail, which facilitates loosening the ring.

The latching element of the shield is according to another embodiment of a locking edge, which engages behind the latching projection in the latched state. The latching edge is, for example, an edge next to an undercut area of the sign. For example, the locking edge of an outer edge of the shield or from Edge of holes formed, which serve the air passage. In the pacifier with the features of claim 1, the locking edge is preferably formed by the inner edge of the frame.

Fig. 1

Schnuller mit Ring in einer Vorderansicht;

Fig. 2

denselben Schnuller in einer perspektivischen Ansicht von der Rückseite;

Fig. 3

denselben Schnuller in einer Ansicht von der linken Seite;

Fig. 4

denselben Schnuller in einer Ansicht von der rechten Seite;

Fig. 5

denselben Schnuller in einer Draufsicht;

Fig. 6

denselben Schnuller in einer Unteransicht;

Fig. 7

denselben Schnuller in einer Perspektivansicht schräg von vorn und von der Seite;

Fig. 8

der Schild des Schnullers in einem Schnitt entlang der Linie VIII-VIII von Fig. 1 und 2;

Fig. 9

einen weiteren erfindungsgemäßen Schnuller ohne Ring in einer Perspektivansicht schräg von vorn und von der Seite.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings of exemplary embodiments. In the drawings show:

Fig. 1

Pacifier with ring in a front view;

Fig. 2

the same pacifier in a perspective view from the back;

Fig. 3

the same pacifier in a view from the left side;

Fig. 4

the same pacifier in a view from the right side;

Fig. 5

the same pacifier in a plan view;

Fig. 6

the same pacifier in a bottom view;

Fig. 7

the same pacifier in a perspective view obliquely from the front and from the side;

Fig. 8

the sign of the pacifier in a section along the line VIII-VIII of Fig. 1 and 2 ;

Fig. 9

another pacifier without ring according to the invention in a perspective view obliquely from the front and from the side.

In the present application, the terms "top" and "bottom" and "horizontal" and "vertical" refer to the arrangement of the pacifier in the mouth of an upright child, the attachment portion with the region of its outer edge, with the ends of the arcuate frame is connected, is aligned upward.

The pacifier 1 according to the invention has a shield 2, from the inside of which 3 a suction part 4 protrudes from a soft elastic material. The shield 2 has on the outside 5 a cover 6 and a pivotally mounted ring. 7

The shield 2 is generally flat and curved, with its inner side 3 is concave to achieve an adaptation to an oral area.

The shield 2 has a central attachment portion 8 with an elliptical outer edge 9.

The attachment section 8 has a central hole into which the suction part 4 with a shaft 10 is inserted. The shaft 10 has at its end a circumferential bead which rests against the outside 5 of the fastening section 8. The lid 6 has a central pin which is pressed into an opening at this end of the suction part 4. As a result, the suction part 4 is held on the shield 2. The lid 6 is optionally. Additionally glued to the shield 2 or welded to it. The described attachment of suction part 4 and cover 6 corresponds to the information in DIN EN 1400-1.

Further, the shield 2 comprises an arcuate frame 11 which extends at a distance around the outer edge 9 of the attachment portion 8 and is connected at the top at two ends 12, 13 with the outer edge 9 of the attachment portion 8. An opening 14, which connects the outside 5 with the inside 3 of the shield 2, occupies the entire distance between the frame 11 and the attachment portion 8. The opening 14 extends around the attachment portion 8 and ends at the locations where the ends 12, 13 of the frame 11 are connected to the attachment portion 8.

The frame 11 extends at the bottom and on both sides in a large arc 15 around the attachment portion. In this area, the frame 11 has an approximately constant curvature. Subsequently, the frame 11 passes through a small arc 16, 17 on both sides of the attachment section 8 and is subsequently connected to the attachment section 8 at its two ends 12, 13. The upper edge of the frame extends between the two small arches 16, 17 in a larger arc 18 of opposite curvature to provide clearance for the nasal area.

The frame 11 has a strip-shaped area of reduced wall thickness 19, which extends between the two small arches 16, 17 in the main extension direction of the frame 11. The area of reduced wall thickness 19 is formed by an inner groove 20 on the inner side 3 of the frame 11 and by an outer groove 21 on the outer side 5 of the frame 11.

In the area of reduced wall thickness 19, the frame 11 is transparent. In the remaining areas it is less translucent (e.g., translucent or opaque). Alternatively, the frame 11 in the area of reduced wall thickness 19 is transparent and colorless and in the other areas colored and possibly transparent.

On both sides of the vertical axis of the shield 2 has inner webs 22, 23, which bridge the distance region between the mounting portion 8 and the frame 11. In the region of the inner webs 22, 23, the shield 2 has a smaller wall thickness than in the region of the frame 11. Further, the inner side of the inner webs 22, 23 offset from the adjacent inner sides 3 of the frame 11 and the mounting portion 8 to the outside, so that they does not or only with a smaller contact pressure to the skin applies.

In addition, the shield 2 in the region of reduced wall thickness 19 outer webs 24, 25 in continuation of the inner webs 22, 23. The wall thickness of the outer webs 24, 25 is less than the wall thickness of the frame 11. In addition, the inner side of the outer webs 24, 25 offset from the inner side 3 of the frame 11 to the outside, so that the outer webs 24, 25 is not or less Apply pressure to the skin.

The inner and outer webs 22 to 25 are arranged offset by about +/- 65 ° with respect to a vertical axis through the center of the mounting portion 8.

Between shield 2 and cover 6, a horizontal, substantially cylindrical passageway is present, which forms a pivot bearing 26. In the pivot bearing 26, the ring 7 is pivotally mounted with a rectilinear upper portion 27 which is connected to an annular portion 28.

The ring 7 has at its lowest point to the shield 2 projecting locking projection 29 which is latched on the inner edge of the frame 11. Furthermore, the ring 7 slightly laterally offset to the latching projection 29 on a Entriegelungsvorsprung 30 which projects approximately parallel with respect to the outside of the shield 2 downwards. An adult may push a fingertip or fingernail under the unlocking protrusion to release the latching of the ring 7 with the frame 11.

The shield 2, the ring 7 and the lid 6 are preferably made of a hard plastic. Preferably, they are made of a thermoplastic. Further preferably, they are injection molded.

The suction part 4 is preferably made of latex, a silicone elastomer or a thermoplastic elastomer.

The pacifier 1 has the advantage that it has a small contact surface on the skin due to the special design of the frame 11 and yet is sufficiently stable. In addition, it has a very large opening 14 for ventilation and drainage of saliva. It is particularly advantageous in this case that the opening 14 is opened below the attachment section 8, so that the saliva can flow away unhindered there. Furthermore, it is advantageous that the mouth of the user through the opening 14 and through the transparent region of reduced wall thickness 19 can be well observed.

The pacifier 1.2 of Fig. 9 differs from the pacifier 1 of Fig. 1 to 7 in that it does not have a ring 7. The lid 6 of the pacifier 1.2 serves as a handle.

Claims (16)

1. A pacifier with a shield (2), which has a fastening section (8), an arched frame (11) and an opening (14) between fastening section (8) and frame (11), wherein the frame (11) runs at a distance around the outer edge of the fastening section (8), the frame (11) is connected on the top on two ends (12, 13) with the outer edge (9) of the fastening section (8) and the opening (14) receives the distance area between the frame (11) and the fastening section (8), and with a flexible sucking part (4) protruding from the fastening section (8),
   characterised in that
   the frame (11) has an area of reduced wall thickness (10) extending in its main expansion direction around the fastening section (8).
2. The pacifier according to claim 1, in which the two ends (12, 13) of the frame (11) are connected above the sucking part (4) with the outer edge (9) of the fastening section (8).
3. The pacifier according to claim 2, in which the two ends (12, 13) of the frame (11) are connected with the apex area of the outer edge (9) of the fastening section (8).
4. The pacifier according to one of claims 1 to 3, in which the frame (11) surrounds the fastening area (8) on the bottom and on both sides in a large arch (15), passes through a small arch (16, 17) on the top on both sides of the fastening section (8) and is subsequently connected on its two ends (12, 13) with the fastening section (8).
5. The pacifier according to one of claims 1 to 4, in which the two ends (12, 13) of the frame (11) are connected with the fastening section (8) at a distance from each other.
6. The pacifier according to one of claims 1 to 5, in which the area with the reduced wall thickness (19) is formed by an outer groove (21) on the outside (5) of the frame (11) and/or by an inner groove (20) on the inside (3) of the frame (11).
7. The pacifier according to one of claims 1 to 6, in which the area with the reduced wall thickness (19) ends at a distance from the two ends (12, 13) of the frame (11), which are connected with the fastening section (8).
8. The pacifier according to claim 7, in which the area with the reduced wall thickness (19) ends below the small arch (16, 17).
9. The pacifier according to one of claims 1 to 8, in which the shield (2) is transparent in the area with the reduced wall thickness (19).
10. The pacifier according to one of claims 1 to 9, in which the fastening section (8) has an elliptical outer edge (9).
11. The pacifier according to one of claims 1 to 10, in which the frame (11) is connected in the area, in which it surrounds the fastening section (8) at a distance, on both sides of the vertical line by spaced inner bars (22, 23) with the outer edge (9) of the fastening section (8), which have a minor wall thickness than the frame (11), while the frame (11) is connected either additionally or in a replacing way with the fastening section (8) via two inner bars (22, 23) arranged symmetrically with respect to the vertical line.
12. The pacifier according to claim 11, in which the frame (11) has outer bars (24, 25) in the area with the reduced wall thickness (19), which extend in the direction of the inner bars (22, 23) and have a smaller wall thickness than the frame (11).
13. The pacifier according to one of claims 1 to 12, which has a ring (7) and means for mounting (26) the ring (7) in a pivotable manner around a horizontal rotational axis on the shield (2).
14. The pacifier according to claim 13, in which the ring (28) has a locking projection (29) at a distance from the means for mounting (26), which is lockable behind the inner edge of the frame (11).
15. The pacifier according to claim 14, in which the ring (7) has an outwardly protruding unlocking projection (30) for loosening the locking connection of the ring (7) with the shield (2).
16. The pacifier according to claim 15, in which the locking element (11) of the shield (2) is a locking edge, behind which the locking projection (29) engages in the locked state.

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