Patent Publication Number: US-2013245687-A1

Title: Teething Tip

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Ser. No. 61/612,487 filed Mar. 19, 2012, the contents of which are fully incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to a teething device for infants and toddlers. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to a teething device for infants and toddlers. Infants and toddlers (babies) often experience pain when their teeth are erupting through their gums, a process called ‘teething.’ Although many teething devices have been made for babies, many babies still prefer to use their caregiver&#39;s fingers to comfort their sore gums. Often times a baby will pull a caregiver&#39;s finger into his mouth and place it on the sore gum, even when other teething devices are available to him. This can cause pain to the caregiver if the baby bites down on the finger, and may frustrate the baby when the caregiver takes his finger away. It may also introduce germs into the baby&#39;s mouth and make him sick. The present invention overcomes these difficulties with a unique, ingenious device. 
     The relevant prior art involving dental and teething devices includes: 
     U.S. Pat. No. 1,023,822, ‘Teething-Finger’ describes a teething device in the shape of a finger comprising a hard core covered by a soft material. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 2,688,961, ‘Multipurpose Finger-Attached Assembly’ describes a multi-purpose finger-attached accessory for application to a thumb or one of the fingers of a small child&#39;s hand comprising an expansible and contractile finger-stall provided on its outer usable end with a compressibly resilient teething ring with means designed safely to forestall and hinder the act of the wearer of putting a predetermined finger into the mouth and to in this manner frustrate the wearer and to consequently minimize finger sucking, said means embodying a teething ring. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 2,112,184, ‘Double Pressure Interdental Wedge Gum Massager’ describes an inter-dental tissue pressure massaging device comprising a finger-engaging means, and a soft pliable means projecting therefrom for conforming to the contour of the space between the approximating teeth when pressure is exerted thereon to permit the massaging device to reach the deep inter-dental tissues of the gums. 
     US Patent Application No. 20050210652, ‘Oral Motor Therapy Device’ includes a device having a plurality of connected finger covers. The finger covers are preferably configured to be worn by a user around at least two of the user&#39;s fingers. The device also preferably has at least two sets of protrusions. Each set of protrusions is preferably connected to a finger cover and is configured to provide a different tactile sensation from the other set of protrusions. With the device of the present invention, the user may switch between the two sets of protrusions when providing tactile sensation to a person by moving the finger to which the desired set of protrusions is connected. 
     Various implements are known in the art, but fail to address all of the problems solved by the invention described herein. Embodiments of this invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and will be described in more detail herein below. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In a preferred embodiment, the present invention is an article of manufacture, comprising a tapered cylinder, said tapered cylinder having a closed end and an open end, said tapered cylinder having an inner surface and an outer surface wherein said outer surface has a texture, said tapered cylinder being comprised of a material, wherein said material is impervious to the forces imposed by biting, and said material securely adheres to a finger. 
     The tapered cylinder fits over the finger of an adult. When a baby is teething, he may desire to grab the adult&#39;s finger and place it in his mouth, or the adult may place her own finger in the baby&#39;s mouth. The tapered cylinder provides protection for the adult&#39;s finger and also protects the baby from germs that may be on the unprotected finger. In addition, the tapered cylinder may be coated or impregnated with pain-relieving medication, thus making the medication easier to apply. 
     Therefore, the present invention succeeds in conferring the following, and others not mentioned, desirable and useful benefits and objectives. 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide teething relief for a baby. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a biting surface for a baby that is similar to a caretaker&#39;s finger. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a hygienic biting surface for a baby. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a safe biting surface for a baby. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to allow a baby to bite a caregiver&#39;s finger without causing pain to the caregiver. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a device for applying medication to a baby&#39;s gums. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of the present invention in use. 
         FIG. 2   a  is a front view of the invention. 
         FIG. 2   b  is a back view of the invention. 
         FIG. 2   c  is a top view of the invention. 
         FIG. 2   d  is a bottom view of the invention. 
         FIG. 2   e  is a side view of the invention. 
         FIG. 2   f  is a side view of the invention. 
         FIG. 3   a  is a side cut-away view of the invention with a single layer of material. 
         FIG. 3   b  is a side cut-away view of the invention with a double layer of material. 
         FIG. 4  is a front cut-away view of the invention with water disposed between two layers of material. 
         FIG. 5   a  is a front view of an embodiment of the invention as a set. 
         FIG. 5   b  is a back view of an embodiment of the invention as a set on a set of fingers. 
         FIG. 6  is a front view of an alternate embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a front view of an additional alternate embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a front view of an additional alternate embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 9  is a back view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 8 . 
         FIG. 10  is a front view of an additional alternate embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. Identical elements in the various figures are identified with the same reference numerals. 
     Reference will now be made in detail to embodiment of the present invention. Such embodiments are provided by way of explanation of the present invention, which is not intended to be limited thereto. In fact, those of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate upon reading the present specification and viewing the present drawings that various modifications and variations can be made thereto. 
       FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of the present invention in use.  FIG. 1  shows the tapered cylinder  100  on a caregiver&#39;s finger  610 , a baby  600 , and the baby&#39;s mouth  620 . The caregiver has put the tapered cylinder  100  on her own finger and is inserting her finger into the baby&#39;s mouth  620 . The baby may direct the caregiver&#39;s finger to any part of his mouth, and may bite down on the caregiver&#39;s finger without causing damage. The caregiver may run her finger through the baby&#39;s mouth to find emerging teeth and may massage that part of the gum, or she may already know where the teeth are emerging so she can massage and/or apply medication directly to the painful spot in the baby&#39;s mouth. 
     After use, the caregiver may remove the tapered cylinder and wash it and/or disinfect it in any way she wishes, for instance by boiling, bleaching, washing it in the dishwasher, etc. Unlike a human finger, the tapered cylinder can withstand more harsh forms of germ-killing, and may be subjected to them repeatedly without the pain and/or chafing that a finger would endure with repeated washings. 
     The tapered cylinder may be made from any material, including but not limited to, rubbers, such as but not limited to, silicone rubber and natural gum rubber; thermoplastics, such as but not limited to ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA); plastics; elastomers; thermoplastic elastomers; paper or wood materials; metals; glass materials, such as but not limited to, gorilla glass or fiberglass; textiles, such as but not limited to, cotton, silk, viscose, modal, wool, soy fabric, or bamboo; animal components, such as but not limited to, leather or fur; and any materials or any combination of these materials with each other or any other materials. One or more materials may be used in differing places on the tapered cylinder, for instance the outer surface may be EVA while the inner surface is cotton, or the tip may be made from EVA while the lower portion is made from bamboo, or a combination of these. 
     It is preferred that the tapered cylinder material is flexible. Preferred materials of manufacture for the tapered cylinder are EVA, rubber, silicone, and cotton. Also preferred is that the materials of manufacture be non-toxic, BPA-free, PVC-free, Phthalate-free, and lead-free. 
       FIGS. 2   a - 2   f  illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 2   a  is a front view of the invention.  FIG. 2   a  shows the tapered cylinder  100 , with closed end  110 , open end  120 , front  130 , top  150 , bottom  160 , first side  170 , second side  175 , texture  210 , bumps texture  230 , and squiggle texture  350 . 
       FIG. 2   b  is a back view of the invention.  FIG. 2   b  shows the tapered cylinder  100 , with closed end  110 , open end  120 , back  140 , top  150 , bottom  160 , first side  170 , second side  175 , texture  210 , bumps texture  230 , and squiggle texture  350 . 
       FIG. 2   c  is a top view of the invention.  FIG. 2   c  shows the tapered cylinder  100 , with closed end  110 , front  130 , back  140 , top  150 , first side  170 , second side  175 , texture  210 , and bumps texture  230 . 
       FIG. 2   d  is a bottom view of the invention.  FIG. 2   d  shows the tapered cylinder  100 , with open end  120 , front  130 , back  140 , bottom  160 , first side  170 , second side  175 , inner surface  190 , outer surface  200 , and tapered cylinder diameter  250 . 
       FIG. 2   e  is a side view of an embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 2   e  shows the tapered cylinder  100 , with closed end  110 , open end  120 , top  150 , bottom  160 , first side  170 , texture  210 , bumps texture  230 , and squiggles texture  350 . 
       FIG. 2   f  is a side view of an embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 2   f  shows the tapered cylinder  100 , with closed end  110 , open end  120 , top  150 , bottom  160 , first side  170 , texture  210 , bristles  220 , and tapered cylinder full length  240 . 
       FIGS. 2   a - 2   f  show the tapered cylinder  100  in detail. The tapered cylinder has a closed end  110  and an open end  120 . The user places his finger into the open end of the tapered cylinder and pulls on it until it slides all the way onto his finger. Alternately, depending on the flexibility of the material of manufacture, the user may roll the tapered cylinder up, place the closed end  110  on his finger tip, and unroll the tapered cylinder down his finger. The tapered cylinder fits snugly on the user&#39;s finger. 
     The dimensions of the tapered cylinder full length are such that it fits on most of an adult&#39;s finger, extending most of the way to the hand. The preferred material of manufacture is flexible, such that it stretches and contracts to fit a range of finger sizes. The tapered cylinder full length  240  shown in  FIG. 2   f  may be from 2 to 10 centimeters, with the preferred length being approximately 5 to 6.5 centimeters. The tapered cylinder diameter  250  shown in  FIG. 2   d  may be from 1 to 6 centimeters, with the preferred diameter being approximately 2.5 centimeters. 
     The tapered cylinder preferably has a texture  210 . The texture may be any type of texture. Textures shown in  FIGS. 2   a - 2   f  include a bumps texture  230  and a squiggles texture  350  in  FIGS. 2   a ,  2   b  and  2   e , a bumps texture  230  in  FIG. 2   c , and a bristles texture  230  in  FIG. 2   f . The textures would allow further protection for the caregiver when the baby bites down, and also allow the baby a textured teething surface. The texture  210  may be on the entire tapered cylinder  210  as shown in  FIGS. 2   a - 2   c  and  2   e,  or it may be on a part of the tapered cylinder, as shown in  FIG. 2   f . It may also be on one or more parts of the tapered cylinder. 
       FIGS. 3   a - 3   b  illustrate the invention with varying layers of material. 
       FIG. 3   a  is a side cut-away view of the invention with a single layer of material.  FIG. 3   a  shows the tapered cylinder  100 , with closed end  110 , open end  120 , top  150 , bottom  160 , first side  170 , and first layer  260 . 
       FIG. 3   b  is a side cut-away view of the invention with a double layer of material.  FIG. 3   b  shows the tapered cylinder  100 , with closed end  110 , open end  120 , top  150 , bottom  160 , first side  170 , inner surface  190 , outer surface  200 , first material layer  260 , and second material layer  270 . 
       FIGS. 3   a - 3   b  show the tapered cylinder made from varying layers of material. In  FIG. 3   a  one layer of material is used, in  FIG. 3   b  two layers are used, but any number of layers of material may be used for the tapered cylinder. The layers may be made from any of the materials described with  FIG. 1 , and from any liquid or gel, including but not limited to, water, medication, or any other liquid or gel. For instance, the middle layer may be pain medication that slowly seeps through pores in one of both of the outer layers. 
       FIG. 4  is a front cut-away view of the invention with water disposed between two layers of material in a tip. Because it is a cut-away view, the top material layer is not shown. In  FIG. 4  three total layers of materials are used, with the middle layer being water. The tip will be discussed in more detail with  FIGS. 5   a - b.    FIG. 4  shows the tapered cylinder  100 , with closed end  110 , open end  120 , front  130 , top  150 , bottom  160 , first side  170 , second side  175 , tip  180 , lower portion  185 , tapered cylinder partial length  245 , second material layer  270 , and liquid layer  290 . 
     In  FIG. 4 , the tip  180  contains a liquid or gel. The liquid or gel is preferably water. The amount of liquid or gel used would depend on the size of the tip  180 ; it would be enough to give a cushion between the first and second material layers so the baby would bite down on a soft, resilient surface. 
     Although shown with liquid or gel disposed between the first and second material layers of the tip  180 , water or other liquid or gel could be disposed between the first and second material layers of the lower portion  185  as well. The liquid or gel could be disposed solely in the tip  180 , solely in the lower portion  185 , or in both the tip and lower portion, or in any part of the tip or lower portion. 
     The tapered cylinder  100  may be made such that it can be frozen or heated; in the case of freezing, the water in the tip  180  would become ice or slush, which could be used to soothe a teething baby. If water is used as the liquid and the tapered cylinder is designed to be frozen, enough space would be left between the first and second material layers for the water to expand when frozen into ice. 
       FIG. 4  also shows a tapered cylinder partial length  245 , designed to partially fit over a finger, ending at about the second knuckle. The tapered cylinder partial length may be from 2 to 10 centimeters in length, with a preferred length of 4 to 7.5 centimeters. 
     The tapered cylinder can be any length to fit over any portion of the finger. For instance, it may be desirable to have a length that fits over the finger just to the first knuckle, or to somewhere between the first and second knuckle, or to a spot between the second knuckle and the hand. Additionally, the tapered cylinder will fit different fingers in different ways, extending to differing spots on the finger depending on the wearer. Because it is flexible, it can stretch to fit a wide range of adult fingers. 
       FIGS. 5   a - 5   b  illustrate an embodiment of the present invention as a set.  FIGS. 5   a - 5   b  show a set of tapered cylinders, with tips  180  on the closed ends  110 . The set of tapered cylinders is comprised of each tapered cylinder having a closed end and an open end; each tapered cylinder having an inner surface and an outer surface wherein said outer surface has a texture; each tapered cylinder being comprised of a material, wherein said material is impervious to the forces imposed by biting; and said material securely adheres to a finger. 
       FIG. 5   a  is a front view of an embodiment of the invention as a set.  FIG. 5   a  shows a set of tapered cylinders  300 , with tapered cylinders  100 , with closed ends  110 , open ends  120 , tops  150 , bottoms  160 , tips  180 , lower portions  185 , texture  210 , bumps texture  230 , triangles texture  310 , zigzag texture  320 , oblong texture  330 , and ridged line texture  340 . 
       FIG. 5   b  is a back view of an embodiment of the invention as a set on a set of fingers. Also shown in  FIG. 5   b  is a battery and switch to enable vibration in the tapered cylinder or tip.  FIG. 5   b  shows a set of tapered cylinders  300 , with tapered cylinders  100 , with closed ends  110 , open ends  120 , tops  150 , bottoms  160 , tips  180 , lower portions  185 , texture  210 , bumps texture  230 , zigzag texture  320 , ridged line texture  340 , grooves texture  345 , squiggle texture  350 , triangle shape  360 , rectangle shape  370 , oblong shape  380 , and circular shape  390 . Also shown is hand  430 , with pinky finger  700 , ring finger  710 , middle finger  720 , pointer finger  730 , thumb  740 , vibrating switch  800 , and battery  810 . 
       FIGS. 5   a  and  5   b  illustrate part of the wide range of textures that can be used. As can be seen in  FIG. 5   a , the texture may be the same on the tip  180  as on the lower portion  185 , or it may be different. Each tapered cylinder of the set may have a different design, or they may all be the same. The tapered cylinders in the set are interchangeable, so any tapered cylinder can be worn on any finger. The texture may also be indicia, such as but not limited to, letters, characters, shapes, logos, pictures, or any of these in combination with each other or other textures. 
       FIG. 5   b  illustrates the set of tapered cylinders on a hand. The user may dispose tapered cylinders on all five fingers as shown, or may use part of the set, for instance, only disposing tapered cylinders on three of the fingers. The tapered cylinders may be disposed on any number and combination of fingers, on either hand or on both hands at once. 
     The tips may be any shape; as can be seen in the figures, the tip  180  on the pinky finger  700  is triangular shaped, the tips  180  on the ring finger  710  and the pointer finger  730  are rectangular shaped, the tip on the middle finger  720  is oblong shaped, and the tip on the thumb  740  is circular shaped. Although shown with these specific shapes, any other shapes may be used. For instance, there may be a shape that is superior for reaching into a baby&#39;s mouth and contacting a specific spot in the mouth, and this shape may be used on one or more fingers as part of one or more tapered cylinders. 
     The set of tapered cylinders may include identical tapered cylinders, or a combination of different tapered cylinders. For instance, a set of tapered cylinders may include one tapered cylinder that vibrates, one tapered cylinder that has an extended shape, one tapered cylinder that contains a water layer, and one tapered cylinder that has a bristles texture. Although the set of tapered cylinders preferably has five tapered cylinders, a set of tapered cylinders may be any number of tapered cylinders, from two tapered cylinders to fifty tapered cylinders, with each tapered cylinder being unique to the set, each tapered cylinder being the same in the set, or any combination thereof. 
     The tips  180  and the lower portions  185  may be made from the same or differing materials; they are preferably one continuous piece. The material of the tips may be thicker than the material of the lower portions, thereby making it easier to dispose the tapered cylinder onto a finger while providing a thick surface for a baby to bite down on. The thickness of the lower portions may preferably be from 0.001 mm to 20 mm, and the thickness of the tips may preferably be from 0.001 to 40 mm. The tips may be designed and shaped such that they can be easily disposed in a baby&#39;s mouth; for instance, a tip may be elongated and narrowed so it can reach to the back of the baby&#39;s mouth. 
     The tapered cylinder may be any color or colors. The tips and the lower portions may be the same color, differing colors, and/or there may be designs or logos on the tapered cylinder, either covering the entire tapered cylinder or parts of it. Although specific shapes are shown for the tips, any shapes may be used, and they may be smaller or larger in relation to the lower portions than is illustrated in the figures. 
       FIG. 5   b  shows a vibrating switch  800 . The tip may vibrate, or the entire tapered cylinder may vibrate. The vibration may be started and stopped using the switch  800 . The switch may also control the rate of vibration. The vibration may be powered by any power source, preferably a battery, such as but not limited to a button cell battery, which may be either internal or external to the tapered cylinder. 
     The dimensions of the tapered cylinders in the set may all be the same, and are as described with  FIG. 1 , or they may vary according to specific finger. For instance, the length for the thumb may be 2.5 inches (6.3 cm), the length for the pointer finger may be 3 inches (7.6 cm), the length for the middle finger may be 3 to 3.5 inches (7.6-8.9 cm), the length for the ring finger may be 3 inches (7.6 cm), and the length for the thumb may be 2.5 inches (6.3 cm) for a tapered cylinder full length; the lengths may be corresponding less for the tapered cylinder partial length. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a further embodiment of the present invention, a set of tapered cylinders joined by a sheath; said sheath having an open end; each tapered cylinder having an inner surface and an outer surface wherein said outer surface has a texture; each tapered cylinder being comprised of a material, wherein said material is impervious to the forces imposed by biting; and said sheath securely adheres to a hand. 
       FIG. 6  is a front view of an embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 6  shows a set of tapered cylinders  300 , with texture  210 , bumps texture  230 , zigzag texture  320 , ridged line texture  340 , grooves texture  345 , squiggle texture  350 , triangle shape  360 , rectangle shape  370 , oblong shape  380 , and circular shape  390 . The tapered cylinders are joined by a sheath  400 , which has sheath open end  410 , and sheath bottom  420 , and which fits over the hand and ends at wrist  440 . 
       FIG. 6  shows an embodiment of the invention in which the set of tapered cylinders is joined by a sheath, which acts as a glove. This allows an extra amount of security, in that the tapered cylinders are anchored onto the adult&#39;s hand by both the quality of the tapered cylinder conforming to the fingers and the sheath conforming to the hand. Although shown with five tapered cylinders, this embodiment may have one to five tapered cylinders; the fingers not covered by tapered cylinders may be covered by cloth or other materials, or may be bare. The sheath may be made from the same or differing materials as the tapered cylinders; it may be all one continuous piece, as shown in the figure, or the tapered cylinders may be detachable from the sheath. The sheath may go over one or both sides of the hand. For instance, the sheath may only cover the back of the hand, or it may only cover the palm of the hand. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a further embodiment the present invention. 
       FIG. 7  is a front view of an alternate embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 7  shows the tapered cylinder  100 , with closed end  110 , open end  120 , front  130 , top  150 , bottom  160 , first side  170 , second side  175 , hand  430 , thumb  740 , and thumb guard  760 . 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a thumb guard for the adult&#39;s thumb. This would give extra protection to the adult&#39;s thumb from the baby biting down, and would keep the thumb from extending too far into the baby&#39;s mouth. It may be made of any of the materials described with  FIG. 1 , and may be made from one or from multiple layers. It may be fluid or gel filled, using the same materials as for the tips described in  FIG. 4 . 
       FIGS. 8-9  illustrate an alternate embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 8-9  show a holdable device with a hole in the lower third of the device and a plurality of fingers at the top of the device; said holdable device having a front side and a back side; each side having a texture; and said holdable device being comprised of a material, wherein said material is impervious to the forces imposed by biting. 
       FIG. 8  is a front view of an additional alternate embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 8  shows a holdable device  500 , with holdable device front  510 , holdable device top  520 , holdable device bottom  530 , holdable device first side  540 , holdable device second side  550 , holdable device lower portion  560 , holdable device hole  570 , holdable device first finger  580 , holdable device second finger  582 , holdable device third finger  584 , holdable device fourth finger  586 , holdable device fifth finger  588 . 
       FIG. 8  illustrates a device that the baby could hold onto himself. The holdable device hole  570  allows the baby to grasp the device by putting his fingers through it. He could then insert the fingers into his own mouth, or an adult could grasp the device and insert it into the baby&#39;s mouth. 
     The holdable device would be made of the same materials described with  FIG. 1 . There could be any number of fingers, and they could have any texture. Although shown with the device first finger  580  and the device fifth finger  588  longer than the device second, third, and fourth fingers, any of the fingers could be longer or shorter than the others. For instance, the second and fourth fingers may be longer than the first, third, and fifth fingers; ie: the plurality of fingers may comprise fingers of differing lengths. Alternately, the plurality of fingers may comprise fingers all of the same length. 
     There could be one or multiple material layers, and one or more of the layers could be made of the materials described with  FIG. 1  or could be water or liquids or gels. The holdable device may be comprised of two layers with water disposed between the layers. Other configurations of layers and liquids and/or gels may also be used. 
     The holdable device may have a texture; the texture may be disposed on the holdable device front  510 , holdable device top  520 , holdable device bottom  530 , holdable device first side  540 , holdable device second side  550 , holdable device lower portion  560 , holdable device hole  570 , holdable device first finger  580 , holdable device second finger  582 , holdable device third finger  584 , holdable device fourth finger  586 , and holdable device fifth finger  588 , or any of these components separately or in various combinations. Differing textures may be used on different components, or one texture may be used on some components while a different texture is used on a different component. 
       FIG. 9  is a back view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 8 .  FIG. 9  shows a holdable device  500 , with holdable device back  515 , holdable device top  520 , holdable device bottom  530 , holdable device first side  540 , holdable device second side  550 , holdable device lower portion  560 , holdable device hole  570 , holdable device first finger  580 , holdable device second finger  582 , holdable device third finger  584 , holdable device fourth finger  586 , holdable device fifth finger  588 , bumps texture  230 , squiggle texture  350 , cross hatch texture  355 , and device guard  820 . 
     As can be seen in  FIG. 9 , a device guard may be added to keep the baby from putting the holdable device too far into his mouth or down his throat. The holdable device hole  570  is also smaller than in  FIG. 8 ; the hole may be any size or shape, as long as the baby can hold the holdable device. The holdable device hole may also be disposed anywhere in the holdable device lower portion  560 . 
       FIG. 9  also illustrates how different textures may be used on differing parts of the device. The bumps texture and squiggles texture are disposed on the fingers of the holdable device, while a cross-hatch texture is disposed on the holdable device lower portion  560 . 
       FIG. 10  is a front view of an additional alternate embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 10  shows an article of manufacture, comprising a holdable device with a plurality of fingers at the top of the device; said holdable device having a front side and a back side; each side having a texture; and said holdable device having a device guard; and said holdable device being comprised of a material, wherein said material is impervious to the forces imposed by biting. 
     Illustrated in  FIG. 10  is a holdable device  500 , with holdable device top  520 , holdable device bottom  530 , holdable device first side  540 , holdable device second side  550 , finger  690 , device guard  820 , holdable device grasping surface  830 , bumps texture  230 , and squiggle texture  350 . 
     The embodiment in  FIG. 10  is meant to be grasped by the baby on the holdable device grasping surface  830 , and he can then place one of the fingers  690  into his mouth. The device guard  820  prevents the baby from putting the holdable device too far into his mouth, thus preventing a choking hazard. 
     The fingers  690  may different or the same lengths. The fingers  690  may be solid or hollow, and may have water disposed between two or more layers of material. The materials of manufacture are the same as those described with  FIG. 1 . The fingers  690  may be made of flexible material while the device guard and holdable device grasping surface are made of a harder material. Alternately, the entire holdable device may be made of the same material or materials, or different portions may be made of differing materials and differing numbers of material layers. 
     The holdable device finger lengths may be 5 mm to 500 mm, with a preferred length of 12 mm to 25 mm for the shorter fingers, and 25 mm to 50 mm for the longer fingers. The holdable device may be hollow, formed from two or more layers of material with one or more layers of air between them, or it may be solid, formed from one or more layers of material. 
     All of the embodiments discussed may be flavored, either infused with flavors or coated with flavors, either flavors containing sugar or sugar-free. For instance, for the first embodiment, the entire tapered cylinder may be flavored with a cherry flavor, or just the tip may be flavored. The flavor may be infused into the material of manufacture, and may be released through the biting process, or even by licking. Alternately, the tapered cylinder may be dipped into a container of flavor or the flavor may be coated onto the tapered cylinder. Medicines may be administered in a similar manner. 
     Any of the embodiments may be heated or chilled. For instance, the tapered cylinder may be frozen and then placed in the baby&#39;s mouth to help numb the baby&#39; s gums. It may be heated to facilitate the release of flavoring or medication before placing in the baby&#39;s mouth. 
     Any of the embodiments may have a vibrating component. For instance, the tip may contain a component that allows a vibration, either to soothe the baby or to aid in dispensing medication. Alternately, the entire tapered cylinder may vibrate. The vibration rate may be fixed or variable, and may be controlled through an on-off switch. The entire device of the holdable device may vibrate, or selected components may vibrate. The battery may be internal or external to the holdable device. 
     For all of the embodiments, any combination of textures may be used, and any part or all of the device may have a texture or textures. The textures are generally raised portions of the material surface, although they can be indented portions as well. 
     Although this invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is to be understood that the present disclosure has been made only by way of illustration and that numerous changes in the details of construction and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention.