ES2568024T3 - Pacifier - Google Patents

Abstract

Pacifier with a plate (2), which has a fixing section (8), an arc-shaped frame (11) and an opening (14) between the fixing section (8) and the frame (11), running the frame (11) around the outer edge of the fixing section (8) with a separation from this, the frame (11) being joined by the upper part at two ends (12, 13) with the outer edge (9) of the fixing section (8) and the opening (14) occupying the separation zone between the frame (11) and the fixing section (8), as well as with a flexible suction piece (4) protruding from the section of fixing (8), characterized in that the frame (11) has an area of reduced wall thickness (19) whose main extension direction runs around the fixing section (8).

Description

DESCRIPTION

Pacifier

5 The invention relates to a pacifier.

Pacifiers (also called "pacifiers") are widely used to calm the need for suction of children not intended for food intake and reassure them. Pacifiers feature a flexible piece designed for suction so that it can be put in the mouth. The suction piece is placed with its rear end on a plate that must come into contact with the lips and the contiguous part of the child's face so that the pacifier is not fully sucked by the child. The plate has holes that allow the passage of air so that the child can breathe when the pacifier is in the mouth. The holes also prevent the risk of the pacifier being sucked into the larynx.

15 During suction, the mouth plate is pressed against the lips and the surrounding part of the face. Especially in case of intense and prolonged use, this can cause compression marks and skin irritations. This can be intensified by the saliva that comes out of the child's mouth during sucking. The exit of the saliva is prevented by means of the pacifier plate.

20 Document USD 548,847 describes a pacifier with a plate having a central fixing section and a surrounding frame in the fixing section that is joined, by the upper and lower part, with the outer edge of the fixing section. Between the frame and the fixing section there are two large openings. In this pacifier, the contact surface between the plate and the region of the child's mouth is smaller than in conventional pacifiers, which have a plate-shaped mouth plate that only has small holes. However, 25 with this pacifier can also produce compression marks and skin irritations.

WO 2009/002535 A2 describes a pacifier with a plate having a fixing section, an arc-shaped frame and an opening between the fixing section and the frame. The frame runs around the outer edge of the fixing section with a separation from this and in the upper part is joined by two ends with the outer edge of the fixing section. The opening occupies the separation zone between the frame and the fixing section. A flexible suction part protrudes from the fixing section.

WO 2009/053699 A1 describes another pacifier with the above features in which, additionally, the arc-shaped frame is attached at the bottom with the fixing section by means of a vertical joint element.

WO 2010/011146 A1 describes a pacifier in which the plate is interrupted by two oblong side holes and a lower oblong hole, which extend, in an arc in each case, around the suction piece protruding from the center of the plate.

40

Starting from this, the invention is based on the objective of providing a pacifier that better avoids skin irritations and skin compression marks.

This objective is achieved by a pacifier with the features of claim 1. Advantageous configurations of the pacifier are indicated in the dependent claims 45.

The pacifier according to the invention has a plate, which has a fixing section, an arc-shaped frame and an opening between the fixing section and the frame, the frame running around the outer edge of the fixing section at a distance with respect to this, the frame being joined, at the top by two ends, 50 with the outer edge of the fixing section, and the opening occupying the separation zone between the frame and the fixing section, as well as a flexible piece of suction protruding from the fixing section, characterized in that the frame has an area of reduced wall thickness whose main extension direction runs around the fixing section.

55 The pacifier according to the invention has a plate, a fixing section and a frame with a large opening in the middle. The particularity of the invention is that the frame runs in an arc around the fixing section with a separation from it and only in the upper part is joined at its two ends with the outer edge of the fixing section. Since the separation zone between the frame and the fixing section is occupied by the opening, the opening extends around the entire fixing section to the two ends of the

framework. Since the frame has no union with its fixing section below its two ends, the support area of the frame is reduced and the opening is enlarged. The reduced support area causes less skin irritation and compression marks. Thanks to the large opening, the skin below the plate is better aerated. It is especially advantageous if the opening extends below the fixation section since the saliva exiting the mouth can be evacuated through the opening below the fixation section. Therefore, the enlarged opening also contributes fundamentally to the reduction of skin irritations and compression marks. Also, the large opening facilitates the control of the region of the child's mouth during suction. The fixing of the frame by the upper part to the outer edge of the fixing section does not pose any problem since this area is located above the upper lip, where there is little saliva. This union of the frame with the fixing section 10 can be carried out, without damage to the skin, in a sufficiently stable manner so that the frame is not interrupted.

According to a configuration of the invention, the two ends of the frame are connected, above the suction piece, with the outer edge of the fixing section. Thanks to this, it is possible for the frame to extend further around the outer edge of the fixing section. According to a preferred configuration, the two ends of the frame are connected to the vertex zone of the outer edge of the fixing section. The zone of the vertex is the zone of the section of fixation that is disposed higher during the use of the pacifier.

According to another configuration, the frame surrounds the fixing section at the bottom and on both sides forming a large arc, at the top, describes a small arc on both sides of the fixing section and then is attached to the fixing section at its two ends. In the area of the large arch, the frame has one or several large radii of curvature and, in the area of the small arch, the frame has one or several small arcs of curvature. Thanks to this configuration, the frame is supported homogeneously around the mouth and, at the top of the mouth, there is enough free space for the nose area.

25

According to another configuration, the two ends of the frame are joined, separated from each other, with the fixing section. This configuration also favors leaving free space for the nose area.

According to the invention, the frame has an area of reduced wall thickness whose main extension direction 30 runs around the fixing section. Preferably, this zone is configured as a membrane in a clear or flexible way. Preferably, the area of reduced wall thickness is formed by an outer groove on the outer side of the frame and / or an inner groove on the inner side of the frame. In the area of reduced wall thickness, the plate does not come into contact with the skin or only does so with a reduced contact pressure. Also, this area allows the evacuation of saliva. As a result, compression marks and skin irritations are further reduced. However, the frame has sufficient stability that is needed to prevent breakage as it is held together by the area of reduced wall thickness.

According to another configuration, the area of reduced wall thickness ends at a distance from the two ends of the frame that are connected to the fixing section. According to a preferred configuration, the area of reduced wall thickness 40 ends below the small arches covered by the frame. Thanks to this, the areas of the upper ends of the frame, which are especially subject to loads and, in any case, do not cause considerable skin irritations and compression marks, are not weakened by a reduced wall thickness.

According to another configuration, the plate is transparent in the area of reduced wall thickness. This facilitates the verification of the region of the child's mouth during suction.

According to another configuration, the fixing section has an elliptical outer edge, the main axis of the ellipse being oriented horizontally during use and the secondary axis, vertically. This configuration is advantageous in terms of the contact of the plate in the region of the mouth and the adaptation of the contour of the fixing section to the arc-shaped frame.

According to another configuration, in the area in which the frame surrounds the fixing section with a separation from it, the frame is connected to the outer edge of the fixing section, on both sides of the vertical, by means of elements Union interiors separated from each other that have a wall thickness less than that of the frame. 55 Internal joining elements improve plate stability. However, they do not prevent the flow of saliva since its wall thickness is less than the wall thickness of the frame. Preferably, the inner side of the inner joining elements is displaced outwardly with respect to the inner side of the frame and the fixing section or is arranged closer to the outer side of the plate. With the arrangement of the inner joining elements on both sides of the vertical plane with a separation between sf, the inner joining elements do not hinder the

evacuation of saliva through the opening below the fixation section. According to an advantageous configuration, the interior joining elements are arranged below the center of the fixing section. In the case of a fixing section with an optical contour, the center is the cut-off point of the main axis with the secondary axis. According to another configuration, the longitudinal axis of the inner joining elements forms an angle of +/- 5 50 ° to 90 ° - preferably, approximately +/- 65 ° - with a vertical axis passing through the center of the section of fixation. This orientation of the inner joining elements is especially advantageous for the stability of the plate, the evacuation of the saliva and the ventilation.

According to another configuration, the frame has, in the area of reduced wall thickness, external joining elements 10 which extend in the direction of the internal joining elements and have a wall thickness less than that of the frame. Preferably, the inner side of the outer joining elements is offset outwardly from the inner side of the frame. Thanks to the outer joining elements, the frame is further stabilized without increasing the contact pressure of the frame on the skin or damaging the evacuation of saliva.

15 According to another configuration, the pacifier has a ring and housing elements that house the ring on the plate so that it can rotate around a horizontal axis of rotation. The pacifier can be easily removed from the mouth by the ring.

According to another configuration, the ring has a retaining projection separated from the housing elements that can be embedded behind the inner edge of the frame. If the ring is embedded with the frame, a child cannot remove the pacifier from his mouth so easily. An adult can intentionally release the ring to use it to remove the pacifier.

According to another configuration, the ring has an unlocking boss projecting outwardly to release the ring retaining union 25 with the frame. An adult can lift the unlocking projection with the fingertip or one, which facilitates the separation of the ring.

According to one configuration, the ring has an unlocking projection that projects outwardly to release the retaining union of the ring with the plate. An adult can lift the unlocking projection with the fingertip or a 30, which facilitates the separation of the ring.

According to another configuration, the retention element of the plate is a retention edge which, in the retention state, engages the retention projection behind. The retention edge is, for example, a song next to a de-embossed area of the plate. For example, the retention edge is formed by an outer edge of the plate or by the edge of holes that serve to pass the air. In the pacifier with the features of claim 1, the retention edge is preferably formed by the inner edge of the frame.

Next, the invention is explained in detail by means of the attached drawings of embodiments. The drawings show the following:

40

fig. 1, the pacifier with ring in a front view;

fig. 2, the same pacifier in a perspective view from behind;

45 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 from above;

fifty

fig. 6, the same pacifier in a view from below;

fig. 7, the same pacifier in a perspective view tilted from the front and from the side;

55 fig. 8, the pacifier plate in a section along the VIN-VNI line of figures 1 and 2;

fig. 9, another pacifier according to the invention without a ring in a perspective view inclined from the front and from the side.

In the present application, the indications "above" and "below" as well as "horizontal" and "vertical" refer to the arrangement of the pacifier in the mouth of a child who is standing, the fixing section being with the area of its outer edge joined with the ends of the arc-shaped frame facing up.

5 The pacifier 1 according to the invention has a plate 2 whose inner side 3 protrudes a suction piece 4 made of a white elastic material. The plate 2 has on its outer side 5 a cover 6 and a ring 7 rotatably housed.

The plate 2 is, in general, flat and curved, its inner side 3 being concave to be able to adapt to the region of the mouth.

The plate 2 has a central fixing section 8 with an elliptical outer edge 9.

The fixing section 8 has a central hole in which the suction piece 4 is introduced with a rod 10. 15 The rod 10 has, on the end part, a surrounding flange that comes into contact with the outer side 5 of the fixing section 8. The cover 6 has a central pin which is pressed into an opening at this end of the suction piece 4. Through this, the suction part 4 is fixed on the plate 2. Additionally, the cover 6 is eventually attached to plate 2 or welded to it. The described fixing of the suction piece 4 and the cover 6 corresponds to the indications specified in DIN EN 1400-1.

twenty

Likewise, the plate 2 comprises an arc-shaped frame 11 that runs around the outer edge 9 of the fixing section 8 with a separation from this and, at the top, is joined at two ends 12, 13 with the edge exterior 9 of the fixing section 8. An opening 14, which joins the outer side 5 with the inner side 3 of the plate 2, occupies the entire separation zone between the frame 11 and the fixing section 8. The opening 14 is 25 extends around the fixing section 8 and ends at the points where the ends 12, 13 of the frame 11 meet the fixing section 8.

The frame 11 runs, at the bottom and at the two ends, forming a large arc 15 around the fixing section. In this area, the frame 11 has a practically constant curvature. Next, the frame 11 30 describes, on both sides of the fixing section 8, in each case a small arc 16, 17 and, subsequently, is connected by its two ends 12, 13 with the fixing section 8 The upper edge of the frame runs between the two small arches 16, 17, forming a larger arch 18 with a curvature in the opposite direction to provide free space for the nose area.

35 The frame 11 has a strip-shaped area with a reduced wall thickness 19 that extends between the two small arches 16, 17 in the main extension direction of the frame 11. The reduced wall thickness zone 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.

40 In the area of reduced wall thickness 19, the frame 11 is transparent. In the remaining areas it is less transparent (for example, translucent or opaque). Alternatively, the frame 11 is transparent and colorless in the area of reduced wall thickness 19 and, in the remaining areas, colored and, where appropriate, transparent.

On both sides of the vertical axis, the plate 2 has internal joining elements 22, 23 that bridge the separation zone between the fixing section 8 and the frame 11. In the area of the internal joining elements 22, 23, the plate 2 has a smaller wall thickness than in the area of the frame 11. Also, the inner side of the inner joining elements 22, 23 is displaced outwardly with respect to the inner inner sides 3 of the frame 11 and the fixing section 8 so that they do not come into contact with the skin or only do so with less contact pressure.

fifty

Additionally, the plate 2 has, in the area of reduced wall thickness 19, external joining elements 24, 25 following the internal joining elements 22, 23. The wall thickness of the external joining elements 24, 25 is less than the wall thickness of the frame 11. In addition, the inner side of the outer joint elements 24, 25 is also offset outwardly from the inner side 3 of the frame 11 so that the 55 outer joint elements 24, 25 are not They come into contact with the skin or do so with less contact pressure.

The inner and outer joining elements 22 to 25 are arranged displaced at an angle of approximately +/- 65 ° with respect to a vertical axis that passes through the center of the fixing section 8.

Between the plate 2 and the cover 6 there is a horizontally cylindrical horizontal passage channel that forms a rotating housing 26. In the rotating housing 26 the ring 7 is rotatably housed with a straight upper section 27 which is connected with an annular section 28 .

The ring 7 has, at its lowest point, a retention projection 29 protruding towards the plate 2, which can be embedded in the inner edge of the frame 11. Also, the ring 7 has, somewhat laterally displaced with respect to the retention projection 29, an unlocking projection 30 protruding downward approximately parallel to the outer side of the plate 2. An adult may slide the fingertip or one below 10 of the unlocking projection to release the ring engagement 7 with frame 11.

The plate 2, the ring 7 and the cover 6 are preferably made of a hard plastic. Preferably, they are made of a thermoplastic plastic. Likewise, they have preferably been injection molded.

Preferably, the suction piece 4 is made of latex, a silicone elastomer or a thermoplastic elastomer.

The pacifier 1 has the advantage that, thanks to the special design of the frame 11, it has a small skin contact surface and, however, is sufficiently stable. It also has a very large opening 14 for ventilation and for the evacuation of saliva. In this regard, it is especially advantageous that the opening 20 14 is open below the fixing section 8 so that the saliva can be evacuated there without hindrance. In addition, it is advantageous that the region of the user's mouth can be observed well through the opening 14 and the transparent area of reduced wall thickness 19.

Pacifier 1.2 in figure 9 differs from pacifier 1 in figures 1 to 7 because it has no ring 7. The cover 6 of pacifier 1.2 serves as an element for grip.

Claims (15)

1. Pacifier with a plate (2), which has a fixing section (8), an arc-shaped frame (11) and an opening (14) between the fixing section (8) and the frame (11) , running the frame (11) around the 5 outer edge of the fixing section (8) with a separation from this, the frame (11) being joined by the upper part at two ends (12, 13) with the outer edge (9) of the fixing section ( 8) and the opening (14) occupying the separation zone between the frame (11) and the fixing section (8), as well as with a flexible suction piece (4) protruding from the fixing section (8), characterized in that the frame (11) has an area of reduced wall thickness (19) whose main extension direction runs around the fixing section (8). 10 2. Pacifier according to claim 1, wherein the two ends (12, 13) of the frame (11) are connected, above the suction piece (4), with the outer edge (9) of the fixing section (8). 3. Pacifier according to claim 2, wherein the two ends (12, 13) of the frame (11) are connected 15 with the vertex area of the outer edge (9) of the fixing section (8). 4. Pacifier according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the frame (11) surrounds the fixing section (8) by the bottom and the two sides forming a large arc (15) and, at the top to both sides of the fixing section (8), describes a small arc (16, 17) and then is connected to the fixing section (8) 20 by its two extremes (12, 13). 5. Pacifier according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the two ends (12, 13) of the frame (11) are connected, separated from each other, with the fixing section (8). Pacifier according to one of claims 1 to, wherein the area of reduced wall thickness (19) it is formed by an outer groove (21) on the outer side (5) of the frame (11) and / or by an inner groove (20) on the inner side (3) of the frame (11). 7. Pacifier according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the area of reduced wall thickness (19) 30 ends with a separation with respect to the two ends (12, 13) of the frame (11) that are connected with the section from fixing (8). 8. Pacifier according to claim 7, wherein the area of reduced wall thickness (19) ends below the small arches (16, 17). 35 9. Pacifier according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the plate (2) is transparent in the area of reduced wall thickness (19). 10. Pacifier according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the fixing section (8) has an elliptical outer edge (9). 11. Pacifier according to one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the frame (11) is connected to the outer edge (9) of the fixing section (8) in the area in which the frame surrounds the fixing section (8) with a separation from this, on both sides of the vertical, by means of interior joining elements (22, 23) 45 separated from each other that have a wall thickness less than the frame (11), and / or the frame (11) is attached to the fixing section (8) by means of two inner joining elements (22, 23) arranged symmetrically with respect to the vertical. 12. Pacifier according to claim 11, wherein the frame (11) has, in the area of reduced wall thickness 50 (19), outer joining elements (24, 25) extending in the direction of the joining elements interiors (22, 23) and have a wall thickness less than the frame (11). 13. Pacifier according to one of claims 1 to 12, which has a ring (7) and housing elements (26) that house the ring (7) on the plate (2) so that it can rotate around an axis of rotation horizontal. 55 14. Pacifier according to claim 13, wherein the ring (7) has, at a distance from the housing elements (26), a retaining projection (29) that can be embedded behind the inner edge of the frame ( eleven). 15. Pacifier according to claim 14, wherein the ring (7) has an unlocking projection (30) protruding outwardly to release the ring insertion joint (7) with the plate (2). 16. Pacifier according to claim 15, wherein the retaining element (11) of the plate (2) is a retaining edge 5 which, in the embedded state, is engaged behind the retention projection (29).