Abstract:
This application is directed towards a unique pacifier that will be able to contain small amounts of a variety of nourishments, including medications, with varying viscosities delivering them through a manually adjustable means controlling the flow rate into the nipple. By using a collapsible bag to contain the nourishment, it eliminates the possibility of the infant ingesting air. This pacifier has been designed with more than ample clearance in the area of the nose along with large openings in the sides where the infant can breathe if there is any problem breathing through the nose.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This application is directed towards pacifiers used to satisfy an infant&#39;s need to continue the comforting process of sucking on the mother&#39;s breast after the need for nourishment has been fulfilled. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    For many years, pacifiers have been used by parents to calm and satisfy infants between meals freeing them to perform the many other necessary tasks in the caring for the infant. Pacifiers are also used to calm infants when they are stressed or just to keep them occupied between meals. Normally no nourishment is given through the pacifiers because they were a sealed unit. Attempts have been made to design a variety of different pacifiers used to deliver medication without a lot of success. Major problems have come about that when the infants have removed the material from the pacifiers; they suck air, which creates the problem. 
         [0003]    Pacifiers must be designed so that the infant can easily breathe around them along with being able to discharge them from their mouth if they desire, so they must be small and light weight. When infants are given a bottle for nourishment, they are generally held by their parents to control the feeding process and make sure that the infant does not choke The nourishment in the bottle is generally in a liquid form and controlled by the orifice in the end of the flexible nipple with no other flow metering capabilities. In the past with rigid infant bottles, the infant would have to release the nipple to let the air flow back into the bottle to replace the liquid. Problems will often occur during this process when the infant would ingest air and become very uncomfortable requiring the parent to hold the infant up and pat them on the back to release the bubble. More recently infant bottles have been designed with a flexible bag that shrinks when the liquid is sucked out by the infant. As infants grow older, they often reject various foods because they have not become familiar with their differing flavors. In the past, it has been impossible to introduce the infants to a very small amount of different flavor nourishments through an adjustable orifice into the nipple of a bottle or pacifier. 
         [0004]    This application is directed towards a unique pacifier that will be able to contain small amounts of a variety of nourishments, including medications, with varying viscosities delivering them through a manually adjustable means controlling the flow rate into the nipple. By using a collapsible bag to contain the nourishment, it eliminates the possibility of the infant ingesting air. This pacifier has been designed with more than ample clearance in the area of the nose along with large openings in the sides where the infant can breathe if the nose is clogged with congestion. 
         [0005]    Numerous innovations for the infant pacifiers have been provided in the prior art that are described as follows. Even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, they differ from the present design as hereinafter contrasted. Tile following is a summary of those prior art patents most relevant to this application at hand, as well as a description outlining the difference between the features of the Adjustable Flow Infant Pacifier and the prior art. 
         [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 2,959,314 of Albert Sanchez describes a nipple for a baby bottle and more particularly involves an improved valve structure for a nipple as well as an improved nipple. According to the invention there is provided a valve for a nipple which insures a more steady flow of liquid such as water, milk, food juices, etc., from a nipple or diaphragm having a plurality of holes, and a valve plug adapted in one position to close the holes and in another position to open the holes. The diaphragm carries the valve plug and is operated by the air pressure or suction applied first to one side of the diaphragm and then to the other side thereof. In an improved form of the invention, the nipple is provided with a massive resilient body and a narrow passage for liquid. This body resists compression to maintain a more even flow of liquid from the nipple. 
         [0007]    This patent describes a nipple for a baby bottle with a valve structure having a diaphragm that is operated by the air pressure or suction applied first to one side and then to the other. This application deals primarily with a baby bottle and has no adaptation to be used as a pacifier and does not have a means of manually adjusting the flow of the nourishment. It also does not address the problem of the baby ingesting air in the feeding process. 
         [0008]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,123,915 of Lawrence E. Miller et al. pertains to a device for the oral administration of a medication. The device comprises a pierced nipple having a nipple chamber and an open base, a medication reservoir having an outer wall member defining a reservoir chamber, a first end opening into the reservoir chamber, and a closable second end opening into the reservoir chamber. There is means to connect the reservoir to the base of the nipple in fluid-tight relationship with the nipple chamber communicating with the reservoir chamber through the open base. There are closing means for sealing the second end of the reservoir 
         [0009]    This patent describes an invention that pertains to the administration of a medication only and has no means of manually adjusting the flow of the medication. It leaves air in the nipple that the infant may ingest and does not leave ample openings in the area of the nose or on the sides for the infant to breath. 
         [0010]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,176,705 of Davie E. Noble describes an infant&#39;s pacifier that is constructed in a manner to confine and administer a beneficial liquid composition. The pacifier has a hollow nipple having at its open upper extremity an outwardly directed flange. The nipple is held within a cylindrical sleeve centered in a base panel. The flange rests in abutment with a flat terminal rim of the sleeve. The sleeve is threadably engaged by a cap having a closure panel adapted to compress the flange against the flat rim, thereby sealing the nipple in a fluid-impermeable manner. The closure panel has provision for admitting a controlled amount of air to the nipple. 
         [0011]    This patent describes a pacifier that is constructed in a manner to confine and administer a beneficial liquid composition that may include liquid nourishment. It does indicate that it may contain a perforation and valve mechanism for the passage of controlled amounts of air to replace the liquid composition, but does not address the fact that when the liquid composition is gone that the infant will be sucking air which can create a problem. It also does not provide a means to control the rate of flow of the liquid composition. 
         [0012]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,611,622 of Mac Wang describes a temperature detection probe of a digital thermometer that may be detachably disposed within a pacifier nipple by forcibly inserting a coupling rod having a rounded split head, which carries the probe through a stub tube having a circular bottom plate securing the base of the nipple to a base plate. A cover is provided for enclosing the nipple when the pacifier is not being used. 
         [0013]    This patent describes a pacifier incorporating a digital thermometer but does not have the capability of delivering a medication or nourishment through an orifice in the nipple end. It does have adequate area at the sides for the infant to breath through the mouth if necessary but does not leave enough clearance in the area of the nose. 
         [0014]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,954,749 of Valerie M. Fields et al. discloses a mesh pacifier and associated clip attachment including a shield comprised of a peripheral rim dimensioned for surrounding a mouth of a baby. A nipple portion extends forwardly from the shield. A handle portion extends rearwardly from the shield. A plurality of sections of apertures are formed through the shield. 
         [0015]    This patent describes the design and construction of a mesh pacifier clearly indicating the need for adequate open area around the mouth and nose for the infant to be able to breathe easily. This invention has not been designed to supply nourishment or medication to the infant. 
         [0016]    While the prior patents and prior art commercial devices have been successful to a certain extent, it is nonetheless clear that substantial room exists for affecting an advancement in the art, which overcomes these shortcomings in a practical and efficient manner. 
         [0017]    In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the Adjustable Flow Infant Pacifier in detail it is to be understood that the design is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangement, of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The Adjustable Flow Infant Pacifier is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. In addition, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present design. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constriction insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present application. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0018]    The principal advantage of the Adjustable Flow Infant Pacifier is that an infant can receive small amounts of nourishment including medications. 
         [0019]    Another advantage of the Adjustable Flow Infant Pacifier is that it can be changed to deliver varying viscosities of nourishment by the means of a simple adjustment. 
         [0020]    Another advantage of the Adjustable Flow Infant Pacifier is that it can be changed to deliver the nourishment or medications at different flow rates. 
         [0021]    Another advantage of the Adjustable Flow Infant Pacifier is that it uses a collapsing bag for the nourishment minimizing the ingestion of air by the infant. 
         [0022]    Another advantage is that an adjustable orifice plate within the Adjustable Flow Infant Pacifier has four separate locking positions. 
         [0023]    Another advantage of the Adjustable Flow Infant Pacifier is that when the parts are assembled with the collapsing bag full of the nourishment or medication, the tab on the orifice plate goes into the collapsing bag and forces the nourishment through the orifices and into the nipple central cavity. This removes the air in that area and keeps the infant from ingesting any air. 
         [0024]    Another advantage of the Adjustable Flow Infant Pacifier is that the infant cannot suck air after the collapsible bag is completely empty. 
         [0025]    Another advantage of the Adjustable Flow Infant Pacifier is that it has been designed with more than ample clearance in the area of the nose along with large openings in the sides where the infant can breath easily if the nose is clogged with congestion. 
         [0026]    Yet another advantage of the Adjustable Flow Infant Pacifier is that it can be easily taken apart and cleaned or sterilized. 
         [0027]    And still another advantage of the Adjustable Flow Infant Pacifier is that a music box cover can snap over the cap section as an alternate embodiment of the device. 
         [0028]    These together with other advantages of the Adjustable Flow Infant Pacifier, along with the various features of novelty, which characterize the design, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the Adjustable Flow Infant Pacifier, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the Adjustable Flow Infant Pacifier. There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the design in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the Adjustable Flow Infant Pacifier that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
         [0029]    The unique design of the Adjustable Flow Infant Pacifier consists of a threaded main body member incorporating a faceplate with breathing orifices on the side and ample clearance in the area of the nose. An orifice in the center provides for the installation of the flexible nipple. The flexible nipple although similar to a standard nipple, has been designed with a small orifice in the end and a central cavity that has been reduced in size from the standard nipple. When the flexible nipple is inserted into the threaded main body member the flange seats against a flat surface with a mating circular “V” groove to supply additional sealing capabilities along with a engaging lip that secures the nipple in place as it is inserted through the orifice in the threaded body member. A tapered opening at the distal end adjacent to the mounting flange provides flow of the nourishment or medication from the off-center orifice in the metering plate. The metering plate is located against the flange of the nipple. Adjacent to the metering plate is the adjustable orifice plate where one of four orifices of differing sizes matches up with the single off-center orifice in the metering plate. Both the metering plate and the adjustable orifice plate are registered in four angular slots in the threaded main body member. 
         [0030]    Changes in orifice size are made by lifting the adjustable orifice plate off the metering plate by the means of a lifting tab and rotating so that the desired orifice lines up with the off-center orifice in the metering plate. A collapsible bag with a flange at the opening is used to contain the nourishment or medication. The collapsible bag is inserted into the central cavity of the threaded cap section of the Adjustable Flow Infant Pacifier and rotated down into the threaded main body member until it seats firmly. The air in the threaded main body member is forced out through the orifice in the end of the nipple and as the lifting tab is forced into the nourishment or medication that material is transferred into the central cavity of the nipple removing all the air within the device. An orifice is located at the top of the cap section to allow air to enter and the collapsible bag to shrink, while the flange at the opening of the collapsible bag maintains the seal so air cannot enter the nipple. By using the collapsible bag for the nourishment or medication, the infant is not capable of ingesting air even after the collapsible bag is empty. A protrusion with an orifice at the top outer surface of the cap section provides for a conventional ring or a holding string. The collapsible bags can be filled with the nourishment or medication by the individual caring for the infant or they may be available as a sealed commercially available unit in a variety of contents and sizes. 
         [0031]    An alternate embodiment of the Adjustable Flow Infant Pacifier will incorporate a music box cover that will snap over the fluted portion of the cap section. The music box cover will have a protrusion with an orifice at the top outer surface of the cap section provides for a conventional ring or a holding string. The battery will be sealed within the music box cover and this portion will be disposable when the battery is dead. 
         [0032]    With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of this application, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art. All equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification intend to be encompassed by the present disclosure. Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the Adjustable Flow Infant Pacifier. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the design to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of this application. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0033]    The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the Adjustable Flow Infant Pacifier and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of this application. 
           [0034]      FIG. 1  depicts a side view of the Adjustable Flow Infant Pacifier 
           [0035]      FIG. 2  depicts an exploded view of the Adjustable Flow Infant Pacifier 
           [0036]      FIG. 3  depicts a cross section of the assembled Adjustable Flow Infant Pacifier 
           [0037]      FIG. 4  depicts an exploded side view of the Adjustable Flow Infant Pacifier with portions shown in cross section. 
           [0038]      FIG. 5  depicts a top view of the adjustable orifice plate of the Adjustable Flow Infant Pacifier. 
           [0039]      FIG. 6  depicts a top view of the metering plate of the Adjustable Flow Infant Pacifier. 
           [0040]      FIG. 7  depicts a side view of the alternate embodiment of the Adjustable Flow Infant Pacifier incorporating a music box cover. 
           [0041]      FIG. 8  depicts a cross section of the alternate embodiment of the Adjustable Flow Infant Pacifier incorporating a music box cover. 
       
    
    
       [0042]    For a fuller understanding of the nature and advantages of the Adjustable Flow Infant Pacifier, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which are incorporated in and form a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the design and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of this application. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0043]    Referring now to the drawings, wherein similar parts of the Adjustable Flow Infant Pacifier  10  are identified by like reference numerals. There is seen in  FIG. 1  a side view of the Adjustable Flow Infant Pacifier  10  depicting the threaded cap section  12  with the protrusion  14  at the top with the orifice  16  for the insertion of a conventional ring or a holding string. A fluted section  13  is on the upper surface. The threaded main body member  18  is shown with the faceplate  20  extending on either side. The nipple  22  is shown extending downwardly and being held in place by the means of the nipple engaging lip  24  that secures the nipple in place. 
         [0044]      FIG. 2  depicts an exploded view of the Adjustable Flow Infant Pacifier  10  illustrating the threaded main body member  14  with the faceplate  20  extending to either side incorporating the two breathing orifices  26  and  28 . The nose relief  30  in the forward area  32  of the faceplate  20  has been designed to leave adequate breathing area for the infant&#39;s nose. At the termination of the female threads  34  within the threaded main body member  14  there is a circular shelf  36  with four equally spaced angular slots  38  followed by the central orifice  40  where the nipple goes through. The nipple  22  is displayed with the mounting flange  42  and the tapered opening  44  leading to the central cavity  46 . The circular metering plate  48  is shown above the nipple  22  with four equally spaced angular shaped locators  50  that register in the angular slots  38  in the threaded main body member  18  holding the metering plate  48  in a fixed position. Orifice  52  in the metering plate  48  lines up directly with one of the four orifices  54 A,  54 B,  54 C and  54 D in tile adjustable orifice plate  58  when the angular shaped locators  60  are positioned in the angular slots  38  over the metering plate  48  within the threaded main body member  18 . The adjustable orifice plate  58  will have four orifices  54 A,  54 B,  54 C and  54 D of different sizes depending upon the viscosity or the desired flow of the nourishment of medication. The off-center orifice  52  in the metering plate  48  will be as large or larger than the largest of the four orifices  54 A,  54 B,  54 C and  54 D in the adjustable orifice plate  58 . The adjustable orifice plate  58  incorporates a tab  62  used to raise the adjustable orifice plate  58  to rotate it to a different position. The total area of the tab  62  will be equal to the area of the central cavity  46  in the nipple so that when the device is closed the tab  62  will extrude some of the nourishment or medication into the central cavity  46  of the nipple  22  removing all the air in that area. The nourishment or medication will be placed within the collapsible bag  64  that is equipped with a sealing flange  66 . 
         [0045]    The collapsible bag  66  is inserted into the central cavity  68  of the threaded cap section  12  of the Adjustable Flow Infant Pacifier  10  and rotated down with the threads  70  into the threaded main body member  18  until it seats firmly. The air in the threaded main body member  18  is ejected through the orifice in the end of the nipple  22  as the lifting tab  62  is forced into the nourishment or medication. An orifice  72  is located at the top of the threaded cap section  12  to allow air to enter and the collapsible bag  64  to shrink, while the flange  66  at the opening of the collapsible bag  64  maintains the seal so air cannot enter the nipple. By using the collapsible bag  64  for the nourishment or medication, the infant is not capable of ingesting air even after the collapsible bag  64  is empty. A protrusion  14  with an orifice  16  at the top outer surface of the threaded cap section  12  is provided for a conventional ring or a holding string. 
         [0046]      FIG. 3  depicts a cross section of the assembled Adjustable Flow Infant Pacifier  10  where the small orifice  68  is visible entering into the central cavity  46  in the distal end of the nipple  22 . The nipple engaging lip  24  abuts the front of the faceplate  20 . The nipple mounting flange  42  having a circular “V” configuration  76  locates within a circular “V” groove  78  in the lower surface  80  of the threaded main body member  18  further secures the nipple  22  and increasing the sealing capability. The orifice  54 A in the adjustable orifice plate  58  is shown in alignment with the orifice  52  in the metering plate  48  and the tapered opening  44  in the nipple  22  providing a direct flow of the nourishment or medication. The flange  66  of the collapsible bag  64  is illustrated being compressed making an airtight seal between the threaded main body member  18  and the threaded cap section  12 . 
         [0047]      FIG. 4  depicts an exploded side view of the Adjustable Flow Infant Pacifier  10  with portions shown in cross section. The threaded cap section  12  shown in side view is shown with the protrusion  14  at the top containing the orifice  16  that provides for a conventional ring or a holding string, and the male threads  70  at the bottom. The collapsible bag  64  shown in cross section has the flange  66  on the lower surface. When the collapsible bags  64  are commercially available with a variety of nourishments or medications in they will be sealed by a thin membrane  82  across the surface of the flange  66 . The adjustable orifice plate  58  is shown in cross section illustrating the tab  62  and one of the orifices  54 A along with the metering plate  48  and the off center orifice  52 . The nipple  22  is shown in cross section illustrating the location of the circular “V” configuration  76  on the lower surface of the mounting flange  42  and the nipple engaging lip  24 . Below the nipple  22  is the threaded body member  18  with the internal female threads  34  further depicting the location of the circular “V” groove  78  on the lower surface  80  of the threaded body member  18 . The location of the nipple orifice  40  is clearly visible in this illustration. 
         [0048]      FIG. 5  depicts a top view of the adjustable orifice plate  58  of the Adjustable Flow Infant Pacifier  10  showing the location of the four orifices  54 A,  54 B,  54 C and  54 D and their varying sizes along with the lifting tab  62 . The angular shaped locaters  60  are equally spaced around the perimeter of the adjustable orifice plate  58 . 
         [0049]      FIG. 6  depicts a top view of the metering plate  48  of the Adjustable Flow Infant Pacifier  10  depicting the location of the off center orifice  52 . The angular shaped locaters  50  are additionally equally spaced around the perimeter of the metering plate  50  matching those on the adjustable orifice plate  58 . 
         [0050]      FIG. 7  depicts a side view of the alternate embodiment of the Adjustable Flow Infant Pacifier  86  incorporating a music box cover  88  with a protrusion  90  having an orifice  92  at the top.  FIG. 8  depicts a cross section of the alternate embodiment of the Adjustable Flow Infant Pacifier  88  incorporating a music box cover where a switch  94  will activate the music box  96  and the battery  98  is sealed inside the unit. Orifices  100  in the side of the music box cover  88  will emit the sounds. The lower lip  102  of the music box cover  88  will engage with the flutes  13  on the cap section  12 . It must be understood that a number of conventional attachment means would attach the music box cover  88  to the main body member  18  and will be covered within the scope of this application. An addition breather orifice  104  in the side of the music box cover will allow the air to enter the central cavity  68  when the nourishment is removed. 
         [0051]    The Adjustable Flow Infant Pacifier  10  shown in the drawings and described in detail herein disclose arrangements of elements of particular construction and configuration for illustrating preferred embodiments of structure and method of operation of the present application. It is to be understood, however, that elements of different construction and configuration and other arrangements thereof, other than those illustrated and described may be employed for providing a Adjustable Flow Infant Pacifier  10  in accordance with the spirit of this disclosure, and such changes, alternations and modifications as would occur to those skilled in the art are considered to be within the scope of this design as broadly defined in the appended claims. 
         [0052]    Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.