Hygenic pacifier apparatus and method

This application claims priority from U.S. provisional application No. 61/678,078 filed Jul. 31, 2012, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.

The present disclosure relates to a pacifier. More particularly, the disclosure relates to an apparatus and method for a hygienic pacifier.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hygienic pacifier in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, including a shield having a wall shown as a substantially toroidal, or donut-shaped, element in a use position;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a hygienic pacifier with a shield having a wall in a recoiled, storage position;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the hygienic pacifier of FIG. 2 ;

FIGS. 4A and 4B are a perspective views the hygienic pacifier of FIGS. 1 and 2 , respectively;

FIG. 5 illustrates various perspective views of hygienic pacifiers constructed in accordance with the principles herein; and

FIG. 6 illustrates embodiments of a hygienic pacifier constructed in accordance with the principles herein.

FIG. 7 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a hygienic pacifier constructed in accordance with the principles herein.

Throughout the various figures, like reference numbers refer to like elements.

FIGS. 1-3 illustrate a hygienic pacifier 10 , constructed in accordance with the principles herein. The pacifier 10 includes a base 12 and a shield 14 . The shield 14 includes a substantially spherical wall 16 , integrally formed with the base 12 , yet having a thinner cross section than the base 12 . A concave face plate 18 is integrally formed with the base plate 12 , and can include slits 20 therein. As illustrated in FIG. 2 , a nipple 22 is integrally formed with the shield 14 . The distance between the nipple 22 and the 14 can be varied, in accordance with the principles herein. Further, suitable saliva exits, such as, for example, apertures 24 illustrated in FIG. 2 , can be provided.

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate perspective views of the hygienic pacifier 10 of FIGS. 1 and 2 , respectively. When the hygienic pacifier 10 is in a use position, a wall 16 of the shield 14 is in a substantially toroidal position, as illustrated, for example, in FIG. 4A . When the hygienic pacifier 10 is in a storage position, a wall 16 of the shield 14 is in a substantially spherical position, as illustrated, for example, in FIG. 4B . The shield is configured to invert and flip inside out from its storage position as shown in FIG. 4B to its use position as shown in FIG. 4A .

FIG. 5 illustrates perspective views demonstrating the concavity a faceplate 18 of the hygienic pacifier 10 from various angles. It is also contemplated that a suitable material can include any suitable hygienic, flexible material for forming a pacifier.

FIG. 6 illustrates additional embodiments of a hygienic pacifier 10 constructed in accordance with the principles herein. For example, FIG. 6 illustrates embodiments where the distance between a shield 14 and a nipple 22 is greater than the distance between a shield 74 and a nipple 72 shown in FIG. 7 . Additionally, a hygienic pacifier constructed in accordance with the principles herein can include a handle 76 , as shown, for example, in FIG. 7 . Further, saliva slits 78 can be provided, shown near the handle 76 in FIG. 7 , although the placement of the saliva slits 78 has been found to reduce the suction of the device in devices constructed in accordance with the principles herein employing medical grade silicone material to form the hygienic pacifier. Further, a ridge (not shown) can be provided around the base of the nipple to lock the pacifier into a use position.

Although any suitable method can be used in forming the hygienic pacifier, particular advantage can be achieved when the pacifier is formed via an injection molding process. A method in accordance with the principles herein includes the steps of forming a unitary, hygienic pacifier using a suitable material to provide a shield capable of recoiling from an in use toroidal position, to a spherical storage position. To this end, a suitable material, such as, for example, medical grade silicone, can be formed by a suitable process, such as by injection molding, to form a unitary device including a shield having a wall. The wall of the shield is formed by the process to enable sufficient recoil of the device from a use position to a storage position, without rendering the device too springy to function in the use position. To this end, various suitable materials can be manipulated to produce recoil properties to ensure functionality of the device. Advantageously, flexible spheres that can automatically retract the nipple of the pacifier due to the varied thickness and resiliency of the material of the unitary device are achieved in accordance with the principles herein. The design eliminates the need to apply external forces to retract the nipple to achieve a storage position. Additionally, the shape of a device constructed in accordance with the principles herein is ergonomic, making the structure easier to use for children with limited movement.

For example, a typical wall thickness for medical grade silicone is in the range of 1.5 to 2 mm. In accordance with the principles herein, the base and nipple of the device are formed at the typical thickness, whereas the shield wall can be reduced down to approximately 0.7 to 1 or 1.5 mm thickness, and the thickness can vary across the structure by increasing in thickness as the material transitions to the end of the sphere nearest the faceplate. Further, the thickness of the faceplate can range from 2 mm up to approximately 7 mm. It will be understood to those of skill in the art that the relative reduction in thickness may need to be adjusted depending on the recoil characteristics of various materials.

For each material considered, a balance between obtaining the thickest wall possible while retaining the recoil functionality of the device must be considered. Further, the distance between the nipple and the shield wall can be adjusted to vary the suction characteristics of the device. In additional steps, a lanyard may be attached to slits or holes provided in the device. Colorant may also be added to the material while forming the device. The device can be textured on the exterior to prevent artifacts, such as lint, from adhering to the silicone surface. Further, the spherical shape of the shield eliminates crevices in known devices that can house dirt or debris. While the embodiments disclosed herein are exemplary, various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.