PACIFIER

Abstract: A pacifier comprises a protective plate (1), a gripping part (2) and a suction part (3). The pacifier is manufactured in one single piece from two different materials in one process by moulding or injection moulding. The transitional regions between the materials are advantageously smooth for preventing the accumulation and growth of bacteria.

Description: PACIFIER TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a pacifier, or dummy, which comprises a protective plate, a gripping part and a suction part. BACKGROUND ART Pacifiers, or dummies, for small children have long been known in the art. They satisfy the child's natural suction need and afford a certain degree of comfort also between mealtimes. Granted, this need can be satisfied by the child's sucking its fingers, but one advantage in using a pacifier is that it will be easier to wean the child from the habit when the child becomes older, since the pacifier can then quite simply be taken away. That part of the pacifier which is placed in the child's mouth is generally hollow and manufactured from a membrane of rubber, latex or silicon. There will thereby be obtained a sufficient resilience in the suction part for the pacifier to be pleasing to use. In many cases, the interior of the suction part is ventilated outwards so that the air can quite simply be pressed out of the suction part. One drawback with this type of suction part is that the membrane can be bitten apart, at least when the child has teeth. Another disadvantage is that a suction part which is ventilated outwards may easily collect bacteria, since it is impossible to keep the interior of the suction part of the pacifier clean. Most prior art pacifiers are manufactured in several parts which are assembled mechanically. There are numerous drawbacks in this procedure. The most obvious drawback is that a pacifier which has been mechanically assembled may also be disassembled or pulled apart in a reverse procedure. Another drawback is that joints are created between the various component parts of the pacifier and that these joints readily become pockets for dirt and bacteria. Further, most pacifiers display a suction part of a configuration which is rather thick and round. It may be ascertained that, together with the fact that such pacifiers are often hollow, they display considerable similarities to the suction part of a feeding bottle. However, importance differences are that feeding bottles are only used for short periods at a time and that the form of the nozzle in the end facing towards the bottle is such that it is easy to clean. A pacifier where the suction part is round often gives rise to point loadings on a few teeth or alternatively the gums, at the same time as its thickness results in the maxilla and the mandible being held a distance from each other. Since pacifiers are employed for quite lengthy periods, the normal shape of pacifiers may be unsuitable and even harmful for the growing child's occlusion. Bite disorders or occlusal disorders such as overbite (protruding teeth) and vertical open bite can be caused or aggravated by such a pacifier. PROBLEM STRUCTURE The object of the present invention is to obviate the above-outlined drawbacks inherent in prior art pacifiers, so that a safe, hygienic and bite-friendly pacifier is realised. SOLUTION The object forming the basis of the present invention will be attained if the pacifier intimated by way of introduction is given the characterising feature that it is manufactured in one single piece from two different materials. Further advantages will be attained if the pacifier is moreover given characterising features as set forth in appended subclaims 2 to 12. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS The present invention will now be described in greater detail hereinbelow, with particular reference to the accompanying Drawings. In the accompanying Drawings: Fig. 1 is a straight side elevation of the pacifier according to the present invention; and Fig. 2 is a view straight from above of the pacifier according to Fig. 1. DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In the body of this specification, use will be made of words and expressions for directions, such as upwards, downwards and sideways. These directions refer to a pacifier which is located in a normal position of use, i.e. in the mouth of a child. Fig. 1 shows the pacifier according to the present invention seen from the side. The pacifier has a protective plate 1, a gripping part 2 and a suction part 3. The protective plate 1 is a relatively thin and hard plate which, when in use, abuts against the skin and lips of the child. The gripping part 2 is directed outwards and is intended to be grasped on removal from or insertion of the pacifier in the child's mouth. In use, the suction part 3 is located within the child's oral cavity and abuts wholly or partly against the child's lips, teeth, dental process or gums, as well as the tongue. In the preferred embodiment, the protective plate 1 has a substantially rectangular, round, oval or elliptical outer contour. In a rectangular contour, the corners are advantageously rounded, so that a rounded-off appearance is obtained from which sharp corners and edges have been eliminated. Ideally, the protective plate 1 is also gently cup-shaped so that it follows the form of the user's face in the oral region. In the Figure, the protective plate 1 has, however, been drawn as planar for simplicity's sake. The formation of the protective plate 1 is largely characterised by smooth surfaces, gentle lines and gradual transitions between the different parts of the protective plate in such a manner that no sharp corners or pockets are formed where bacteria may accumulate and grow. The protective plate 1 may advantageously be provided with through-going holes, for ventilation against the subjacent skin. The side of the protective plate 1 turned to face towards the skin is, in the preferred embodiment, provided with some form of elevations, such as gooseflesh, ridges or the like for increased ventilation and to counteract eczema. The gripping part 2 is correspondingly characterised by smooth surfaces which are easy to keep clean. Between the gripping part 2 and the protective plate 1, there is a transitional zone 7 which is similarly gently rounded so that bacteria cannot accumulate. In its outer portion, the gripping part 2 is, in the preferred embodiment, provided with a hole 9. The hole is advantageously used for applying a tape, band or the like whose other end is secured in the child's clothing or, for example in a perambulator. The hole 9 moreover affords better grip when the pacifier is to be removed from the child's mouth. The suction part 3 has two main portions, namely a bite portion 4 and a cup-shaped portion 5. The bite portion 4 is planar and displays a considerably greater extent in the horizontal direction than in the vertical direction. This is particularly apparent from Fig. 2. Such a bite portion 4 will consequently be rather flat and the distance between the child's teeth or alternatively the gums when the pacifier is in place will be quite small. In the preferred embodiment, the extent of the bite portion 4 in the vertical direction, i.e. its thickness, lies between 2 and 4 mm. Since the horizontal extent is relatively great, in particular in comparison with conventional pacifiers, the force when the child bites around the pacifier will be distributed over a quite large surface area, and point loadings on individual teeth or parts of the gum are eliminated. As a result, the risk of change in the position of the teeth and the gums is thereby also reduced. That end of the suction portion 3 which is turned to face away from the protective plate 1 is, as was mentioned above, provided with a cup-shaped portion 5. On that side facing towards the protective plate 1 , the cup-shaped portion 5 has two convex surfaces 8, one above the bite portion 4 and one below. The convex surfaces 8 together form a part of a spherical, ellipsoidal, or similarly arched surface. The convex surfaces 8 may, on use, come into abutment against the insides of the front teeth or gums. The other side of the cup-shaped portion 5 is correspondingly concave and this surface is intended to abut against the tongue. The concave shape is perceived as pleasant by the user, and tests have shown that this shape is preferred to conventional pacifiers. The cup-shaped portion 5 is substantially symmetrical in one plane which bisects the plane of the paper in the Drawing at right angles in the line A-A in Fig. 1. This symmetry implies, on the one hand, the advantage that the function will be the same even if the pacifier is inserted upside down, since the upper half is identical to the lower half. On the other hand, the symmetry has the positive effect that the front teeth in the maxilla and mandible, respectively (or alternatively the gums), will be positioned so that they lie in register with each other. Tendencies to overbite and retruded mandible are thereby counteracted. The peripheral edge of the cup-shaped portion 5 defines a plane which is substantially parallel with the plane which, in a corresponding manner is defined by the peripheral edge of the protective plate. Thus, the pacifier is mirror-symmetric in a vertical plane which is at right angles to the plane of the paper and which is marked by the line B-B in Fig. 2. As opposed to prior art pacifiers, the suction part 3 is solid. An advantage with this is that it is impossible for the child to bite through the suction part 3, which could have been possible if this part had been made of thin and hollow material. The risk that pieces of the suction part are bitten off and swallowed is thereby eliminated. Another advantage inherent in the solid design is that dirt and bacteria cannot accumulate inside the suction part 3. In the preferred embodiment, the pacifier is manufactured by moulding or injection moulding of two different material components in one process, so that the finished pacifier will be united in one single piece. In such instance, the suction part 3 is manufactured from a softer material, while the gripping part 2 and the protective plate 1 are manufactured from a harder material. The suction part 3 has a base portion 6 at the transition between the two different materials. The base portion 6 is gently rounded so that the transition will be gentle and will lack pockets. As a result, the surface will be smooth and may readily be kept clean. Another advantage with a base portion 6 which is designed for a smooth transition between the two materials is that indications in the form of cracks or sharp corners are eliminated and the mechanical strength of the pacifier increases. This is particularly important, since the pacifier may, on use, be subjected to small, dynamic loadings and it is therefore important to minimise the stress concentration in the transitional region between the suction part 3 and the protective plate 1. That portion of the suction part 3 which extends a distance into the protective plate 1 and possibly the gripping portion 2 is advantageously provided with a ridged surface which projecting portions so that a maximum surface area in the interface between the two materials is obtained and thereby a stronger bond between them. The materials are also bonded chemically or by adhesion to one another and may, for example, consist of a soft elastic silicon material, for instance Dryflex 500300S, and a hard, substantially configurationally stable plastics material, e.g. thermoelastomer or polypropylene. DESCRIPTION OF ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENT The present invention may be modified so that the cup-shaped portion 5, with the convex surfaces 8, is given considerably lesser extent in the vertical direction, at the same time as the horizontal extent is kept constant. There will thereby be realised a cup-shaped portion 5 of a horizontal extent which is greater than the vertical extent. The present invention may be modified further without departing from the scope of the appended Claims.

Claims: WHAT IS CLAIMED IS: 1. A pacifier comprising a protective plate (1), a gripping part (2) and a suction part (3), characterised in that it is manufactured in one single piece from two different materials in one process by moulding or injection moulding. 2. The pacifier as claimed in Claim 1, characterised in that the transitional regions (6) between the materials are smooth so as to prevent the accumulation and growth of bacteria. 3. The pacifier as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the suction part (3) is solid. 4. The pacifier as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the suction part (3) has an elongate bite portion (4) against which teeth or gums are intended to abut, most proximal the protective plate (1); and that said bite portion (4) is of substantially greater extent in the horizontal direction than in the vertical direction. 5. The pacifier as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the suction part (3) has, in its end facing away from the protective plate (1), a cup-shaped portion (5) whose extent in the horizontal direction is of the same order of magnitude as its extent in the vertical direction; and that the cup-shaped portion (5) has its concave side facing away from the protective plate (1). 6. The pacifier as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the suction part (3) has, in its end facing away from the protective plate (1), a cup-shaped portion (5) whose extent in the horizontal direction is greater than its extent in the vertical direction; and that the cup-shaped portion (5) has its concave side facing away from the protective plate ( 1 ). 7. The pacifier as claimed in Claim 5 or 6, characterised in that the cup- shaped portion (5) is of approximately the same width as adjacent parts of the bite portion (4); and that the cup-shaped portion (5) has a peripheral edge which lies in a plane which is approximately parallel with the plane of extent of the peripheral edge of the protective plate (1). 8. The pacifier as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the protective plate (1) is provided with one or more holes for ventilation towards the user's skin. 9. The pacifier as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the protective plate (1) is, on the side facing towards the user, provided with a plurality of elevations for ventilation towards the user's skin. 10. The pacifier as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 9, characterised in that the gripping part (2) and the protective plate (1) border on one another; and that a transitional region (7) between them is gently rounded for preventing the accumulation and growth of bacteria. 11. The pacifier as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 10, characterised in that the material in the suction part (3) is softer and more elastic than in the protective plate (1) and the gripping part (2). 12. The pacifier as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 1 1, characterised in that the pacifier is mirror-symmetric both in a horizontal plane and in a vertical plane.

Inventors: ESPEMAR AAKE, ESPEMAR, AAKE
Applicants: ESPEMAR AAKE, FRISKA TAENDER AB, ESPEMAR, AAKE
Application year: 2001
Main classification: A61J17
IPC codes: A61J17