Patent Publication Number: US-2021169745-A1

Title: Flexible pacifier

Description:
This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/902,108, filed Sep. 18, 2019, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The present disclosure relates generally to pacifiers and, more particularly, to a flexible pacifier. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Pacifiers are provided to satisfy an infants need to suck. Generally, pacifiers are made to resemble the human nipple and generally include a baglet or nipple, a shield and a handle. Numerous designs for the baglet, shield and handle are known. While many designs resemble human anatomy, the fact the pacifiers are constructed of synthetic materials limits the ability of the pacifier to perform like a human nipple. Accordingly, there is a need to improve the pacifier so that it performs more ergonomically. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present invention is directed to a pacifier. The pacifier of the invention includes a baglet and a shield. The baglet has a tip, a shaft and base. The base is adapted to connect the baglet to the shield and has at least one crease configured to permit the baglet to move toward and away from the shield and rotate about a center point of the base. In another embodiment, the shield further comprises a rim constructed of a material having a hardness greater than the shield. In another embodiment, the baglet and shield are constructed of silicone. In another embodiment, the baglet and shield are constructed of silicone having a durometer between shore 35 and 55. In another embodiment, the shield has a rim constructed of a material having a durometer of between shore 45 and 80. In another embodiment, the pacifier further comprises a plurality of creases. In another embodiment, the crease in the base forms a hinge with the shield. In another embodiment, the height of the baglet is no more than two times a diameter of the base. 
     In another embodiment, a pacifier comprises a baglet having a tip, a shaft and base and a shield having a rim. The tip being non-symmetrical and having a length and width that is greater than the length and width of the shaft. The base is adapted to connect the baglet to the shield and has a crease configured to permit the baglet to move toward and away from the shield and rotate about a center point of the base. In another embodiment, the baglet and shield are constructed of silicone. In another embodiment, the baglet and shield are constructed of silicone having a durometer between shore 35 and 55. In another embodiment, the baglet rotates relative to the shield. 
     In another embodiment, the pacifier comprises a baglet having a tip, a shaft and base and a shield having a rim. The tip and shaft are non-symmetrical. The tip has a length and width that is greater than the length and width of the shaft. The base is adapted to connect the baglet to the shield and has a plurality of creases configured to permit the baglet to move toward and away from the shield and rotate about a center point of the base. In another embodiment, the tip has an oval cross-section. In another embodiment, the baglet has a cross-section having a length and width that are greater than a length and width of a cross-section of the shaft. In another embodiment, the baglet has a height that is two times a diameter of the base. In another embodiment, the creases have a diameter greater than a diameter of the shaft. In another embodiment, the shield has a rim. In another embodiment, the shield has a rim having a greater durometer than the durometer of the shield. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Many aspects of the disclosure can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present disclosure. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views. 
         FIG. 1  is a rear perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a front plan view of an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a rear plan view of an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a left plan view of an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a right plan view (mirror of the left) of an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a top plan view of an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a bottom plan view of an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a cross-section view of the line  9 - 9  in  FIG. 3 ; and 
         FIG. 10  is a cross-section view of the line  10 - 10  in  FIG. 3 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     Reference is now made in detail to the description of the embodiments as illustrated in the drawings. While several embodiments are described in connection with these drawings, there is no intent to limit the disclosure to the embodiment or embodiments disclosed herein. On the contrary, the intent is to cover all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , respectively rear and front perspective views of one embodiment of the present invention, pacifier  10  is shown. Pacifier  10  includes baglet or nipple  12 , shield  14  and handle  16 . Baglet  12  is further comprised of tip  18 , shaft  20  and base  22 . Shield  14  is further comprised of plate  24  and rim  26 . Plate  24  has front surface  36  that is adjacent the baby&#39;s face when in use and a back surface  38  that is opposite front surface  36 . Base  22  further comprises at least one crease  28 . Base  22  is adapted to connect the nipple  12  to the shield  14  and has at least one crease  28  configured to permit the nipple  12  to move toward and away from the shield  14  and rotate about a center point  40  ( FIG. 3 ) of the base  22 . Base  22  also includes hinge  42  that aids in the articulation provided by crease  28 . In an alternative embodiment, a plurality of creases  28  may be provided. Shield  14  includes openings  30 , also known as ventilation holes that permit the flow of air to the front surface  36 . In the preferred embodiment, nipple  12  and plate  24  are constructed of a soft, flexible material such as silicone having a durometer measurement of between shore 25 and 55, preferably shore  45 . In the preferred embodiment, rim  26  is preferably formed of a harder material typically having a durometer measurement in the range of shore 55 to 85, preferably shore 80. Rim  26  can be over molded onto shield  14  as is well known to those skilled in the art. The crease  28  in base  22  permit nipple  12  to articulate in multiple directions about fixed center point  40 . For example, creases  28  permit nipple  12  to not only move toward and away from front surface  36  of shield  14 , they also permit nipple  12  to move horizontally. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , respectively front and rear plan views of an embodiment of the present invention, pacifier  10  is described in more detail. Nipple  12  is shown in the middle of plate  24  of shield  14 . Nipple  12  is preferably non-symmetrical where the tip  18  has a length and width that is greater than the length and width of shaft  20 . It should be understood, however, that a symmetrical or round nipple  12  is within the scope of the invention. Plate  24  is shown with openings  30  and rim  26  along the outer perimeter of plate  24  forming the outer edge of shield  14 . Fixed to shield  14  is handle  16 . While the particular shape shown for handle  16  is considered preferable, any suitable shape of handle  16  is within the scope of the invention. Nipple  12  is shown with tip  18  in the form of an oval. At the foot  32  of shaft  20  base  22  with creases  28  is fixed to plate  24  of shield  14 . Base  22  is adapted to connect nipple  12  to shield  14  and crease  28  is configured to permit nipple  12  to move toward and away from shield  14  and rotate about center point  40 . In a preferred embodiment, the height of nipple  12  is at least two times the diameter of the base. In the preferred embodiment, the crease  28  has a diameter that is greater than the diameter of shaft  20 . The particular profile or shape of crease  28  is not functional and other profiles or shapes are within the scope of this invention. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 5-8 , respectively left and right plan views, and top and bottom plan views of an embodiment of the present invention, shows in more detail the shapes and contours of nipple  12 . The tip  18  of nipple  12  is broadened to more closely resemble the human nipple but then narrows at shaft  20  then broadens at foot  32 . This shape permits the nipple to occupy the child&#39;s mouth while allowing the lips and gums to grip the pacifier  10  at shaft  20  and the broadened foot  32 , along with shield  14 , restrains the pacifier from being sucked too far into the child&#39;s mouth. In the preferred embodiment, the height of nipple  12  is at least two times the diameter of base  22 . The creases  28  impart a high degree of flexibility to nipple  12 . The creases  28  not only permit nipple  12  to move toward and away from shield  14  more than a conventional pacifier, they also impart multiple degrees of freedom along the plane of the shield  14 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , respectively cross-section views along the lines  9 - 9  and  10 - 10  in  FIG. 3 , specific details of nipple  12  and in particular creases  28  are described. Tip  18  of nipple  12  is shown with two different cross-sections consistent with the oval shape of the preferred embodiment. Similarly, shaft  20  is also shown with two different cross-sections. At the bottom of shaft  20  is foot  32  connecting shaft  20  to base  22 . Base  22  attaches to shield  14  at joint  34 . Creases  28  of base  22  are shown forming an accordion shape however other shapes are within the scope of this invention. The creases  28  permit nipple  12  to move both longitudinally and horizontally providing a high degree of flexibility. Shield  14  is shown with plate  24  and rim  26 . In the preferred embodiment, handle  16  is constructed of the same material as plate  24  and nipple  12 . 
     Although exemplary embodiments have been shown and described, it will be clear to those of ordinary skill in the art that a number of changes, modifications, or alterations to the disclosure as described may be made. All such changes, modifications, and alterations should therefore be seen as within the scope of the disclosure.