Abstract:
A pacifier providing a mouthpiece with a liquid-receiving cavity for easy replacement and re-filling of the liquid therein. A sealing connection with a mouth guard is provided to allow for holding of the liquid in the cavity of the mouthpiece. The mouthpiece of the pacifier may include a plurality of protrusions extending from the mouthpiece.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates generally to pacifiers, and more particularly, to a two-piece pacifier having a cavity therein.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    It is a common to use what is generally known as a pacifier to satisfy the sucking and chewing instinct of an infant. Most pacifiers include a nipple portion that is placed in the mouth of the infant, a mouth guard for preventing the accidental swallowing of the pacifier by the infant, and a handle by which the pacifier can be held or maneuvered.  
           [0003]    As infants progress to toddlers, many infants experience teething pains that may be soothed by a pacifier. During this teething period, an infant&#39;s gums may become sore and inflamed as the new teeth break through the surface of the skin on the gums. Different types of pacifiers are known and specifically designed to stimulate and massage the gums to alleviate the pain and discomfort associated with the infant&#39;s teething process. Such pacifiers include, for example, teething devices or teething rings, depending on the shape of the device.  
           [0004]    Teething rings or devices are believed to be particularly soothing if the portion of the teething device on which the infant chews is composed of a semi-hard material and incorporates small protrusions (e.g., nodules) that aid in the stimulation of the gums. Generally, the pain and discomfort associated with teething can be alleviated by application of something cold to the inflamed gums of the infant and, thus, placing a teething device in an extremely cold environment, such as a freezer, before insertion into the child&#39;s mouth is relatively common.  
           [0005]    Various devices also exist in which a liquid has been provided within either a pacifier or a particular teething device during manufacture of the devices. The devices may then be subjected to a range of temperatures so as to provide pain relief when inserted into the mouth of the infant and against the gums of the infant.  
           [0006]    In such devices having a liquid therein, a predetermined type and amount of liquid is typically provided in the devices and permanently sealed therein. As such, the liquid sealed within the device cannot be changed, extracted, or replaced without substantially compromising the integrity of the seal and the device as a whole. In fact, it is virtually impossible to replace such liquid. As a result, if the liquid does breach the seal(s) and escapes from the device, the device is commonly rendered useless. Further, such devices do not allow for removal of liquid that may be stale, detrimental to the health and welfare of the infant, or otherwise harmful.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0007]    The inventor has perceived a need for a pacifier that allows flexibility with respect to the selection and changing of fluids within the pacifier which allows flexibility in the levels and type of liquid, and which provides for a longer and more useful life of the pacifier. Further, it is desirable that the pacifier comprises a mouthpiece and a cap portion adapted for removable sealing engagement to allow easy access to a cavity for filling with a particular type or amount of liquid as desired or needed, and for replacement of the liquid.  
           [0008]    The present invention provides a pacifier having a mouthpiece and a cap adapted for sealing engagement to the mouthpiece. In particular, the mouthpiece includes a cavity that extends substantially throughout the interior of the mouthpiece and is accessible through an opening in the mouthpiece.  
           [0009]    The mouthpiece may also include various protrusions (e.g., nodules) extending outwardly from the exterior of the mouthpiece. The mouthpiece may be constructed as a generally cylindrical body that is configured in an arcuate shape. Such arcuate shape is designed to align the teeth of the infant with the mouthpiece of the pacifier. Other shapes of the mouthpiece are also possible and are within the purview of this invention.  
           [0010]    The mouthpiece of the pacifier provides a generally cylindrical shaft extending from the mouthpiece. This generally cylindrical shaft is configured for connection with the cap of the pacifier to allow for sealing a liquid therein. Further, the cavity of the mouthpiece is accessible through an opening at the end of the cylindrical shaft adapted for attachment to the mouth guard. The mouthpiece and cap include complementary means of connection that can be provided in a variety of different ways.  
           [0011]    The cap of the pacifier preferably includes a mouth guard with a handle. The mouth guard preferably includes a hard or semi-hard protective shield that is concave to fit the contour of the areas surrounding a child&#39;s mouth. In particular, the mouth guard is preferably configured in size and shape to prevent an infant from choking on or swallowing the pacifier.  
           [0012]    Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiments of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0013]    The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 1 is an elevation view of a pacifier constructed according to the principles of the present invention.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the pacifier of FIG. 1.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the pacifier of FIG. 1.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 4 is an exploded elevation view of the pacifier of FIG. 1.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 5 is an exploded cross-sectional view of the pacifier of FIG. 3 taken along the line of  3 - 3 .  
         [0019]    FIGS.  6 A- 6 C are perspective views showing exemplary ornamental components of a pacifier of the present invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0020]    The following description of the preferred embodiments is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application or uses. Thus, although the present invention is described in connection with specific configurations for a pacifier and component parts, it is not so limited and different configurations are contemplated.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIGS. 1 through 6 show one preferred embodiment of a pacifier constructed according to the principles of the present invention and generally noted by the numeral  20 . The pacifier  20  generally includes a mouthpiece  22  and a mouth guard  24  with a handle  26  attached thereto.  
         [0022]    As shown in one exemplary form, the mouthpiece  22  includes a generally cylindrical body  28  configured in an arcuate shape such that the generally cylindrical body is sealed at opposing ends  30  of the generally cylindrical body  28 .  
         [0023]    The mouthpiece  22  also includes a generally cylindrical shaft  32  that extends from approximately the mid-section  34  of the generally cylindrical body. The generally cylindrical shaft  32  includes a thread or series of threads  36  that extend circumferentially around an outer surface  37  of the generally cylindrical shaft  32 . It should be noted that other connection members may be provided on the outer surface of the generally cylindrical shaft.  
         [0024]    An outer surface of the generally cylindrical body  28  includes a plurality of protrusions (e.g., nodules)  38  that extend generally outwardly from the outer surface  39  of the generally cylindrical body  28 . As shown, the protrusions  38  are arranged with even spacing along the entire outer surface  39  of the generally cylindrical body. It should be noted that the protrusions  38  may be configured in different arrangements (e.g. uneven spacing) along the outer surface  39  and may be provided in different shapes and sizes.  
         [0025]    Both the generally cylindrical body  28  and the generally cylindrical shaft  32  include a continuous cavity  42 . The cavity  42  extends substantially throughout an inner portion  44  of the generally cylindrical body  28  including the generally cylindrical shaft  32 , as shown in more detail in FIG. 5. The cavity  42  is accessible through an opening  48  of the generally cylindrical shaft  32 . The mouthpiece  22  is preferably constructed such that the opening  48  is the only access point to the cavity  42 . In one preferred embodiment, the cavity  42  is integrally formed within the mouthpiece  22  which may be constructed of rubber, extruded plastic or any other suitable material. It should be noted that the mouthpiece  22  may be formed as a single piece or as multiple pieces sealed together.  
         [0026]    With respect to the mouth guard  24 , and as shown more clearly in FIGS.  1 - 6 , the mouth guard  24  is constructed as a generally concave shield  54  having an outer edge  56  of a predetermined width. The mouth guard  24  is constructed such that the circumference  58  of the mouth guard  24  is generally larger than can fit inside the mouth of the intended user. As such, the mouth guard  24  is configured to cover the lips and area of the face surrounding the lips when the mouthpiece  22  is inserted into the mouth of the intended user. The mouth guard  24  has a top portion  60  and bottom portion  62 , with the top portion  60  having a curved depression  64  to fit under the nose of the intended user. The top portion  60  may also include holes  68  to allow sufficient ventilation to the user. It should be noted that vent holes (not shown) may also be provided in other locations on the mouth guard  24 .  
         [0027]    The mouth guard  24  includes an opening  70  that exists at about the center of the mouth guard  24 . The opening  70  of the mouth guard  24  provides for connection with the generally cylindrical shaft  32  of the mouthpiece  22 . The opening  70  is configured with a diameter to be of approximately the same diameter of the generally cylindrical shaft  32 .  
         [0028]    A cavity  78  within the handle  26  of the mouth guard  24 , which is accessible through the opening  70 , includes complementary grooves  80  for receiving the threads  36  of the generally cylindrical shaft  32 . This provides for locking engagement of the mouthpiece  22  to the mouth guard  24 . It should be noted that other types of complementary connections between the mouth piece  22  and mouth guard  24  may be provided. For example, a bayonet connector, a spring-loaded connection, a keyed connection or other suitable connections are contemplated and may be provided.  
         [0029]    In the preferred construction, as shown in FIGS.  1 - 6 , the pacifier  20  is constructed having approximately the following dimensions:  
         [0030]    Mouth piece  20 —½″ tall by 1⅝″ wide by 1⅝″ deep;  
         [0031]    Generally cylindrical body  22 —½″ tall by 1⅝″ wide by 1⅛″ deep;  
         [0032]    Generally cylindrical shaft  34 —½″ tall by ½″ wide by ½″ deep;  
         [0033]    Mouth guard  24  with handle  26 —1⅝″ tall by 2¼″ wide by ¾″ deep;  
         [0034]    Holes  68 —¼″ diameter;  
         [0035]    Accessible opening  70 —½″ diameter and {fraction (9/16)}″ deep.  
         [0036]    The pacifier  20  may also include distinguishing ornamental components or features such as, for example, a colored bow or ribbon (e.g., blue for boy and pink for girl), a rattle or other distinguishing characteristic (e.g., an emblem, a picture, a college mascot, a logo of a professional sports team or other such marks, nameplates, etc.), such that the pacifier  20  may be identified with a particular gender or other desired classification, association or affiliation.  
         [0037]    In operation, and as shown in FIGS.  1 - 6 , a pacifier  20  of the present invention allows for removable connection of a mouthpiece  22  having a cavity  42  therein to a mouth guard  24  with a handle  26  to provide a seal between the mouthpiece  22  and the mouth guard  24 . Further, the cavity  42  of mouthpiece  22  may be filled with a type and amount of liquid and sealed therein by connection of the mouthpiece  22  with the mouth guard  24 . In addition, the liquid may be removed from the cavity  42  by disconnecting the mouthpiece  22  from the mouth guard  24 . For example, the mouthpiece may be filled with a type and amount of liquid and connected to the mouth guard  24  by engagement of the threads  36  of the mouthpiece  22  with the grooves  80  of the mouth guard  24 . The mouthpiece  22  and mouth guard  24  may be screwed together to provide a sealing connection and hold a liquid therein. The mouthpiece  22  and mouth guard  24  then may be disconnected by unscrewing the mouthpiece  22  and the mouthpiece  24  to disengage the complimentary threads  36  and grooves  80  so as to provide access to the cavity  42  of the mouthpiece  22  to replace or hold the liquid therein.  
         [0038]    Although a pacifier  20  of the present invention is configured having a particular sealing engagement, other configurations and sealing engagements are contemplated depending upon the particular application and connections needed or desired.  
         [0039]    The foregoing description of the invention is exemplary and not exhaustive in nature. Thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of the invention are intended to be within the scope of the invention. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention.