Patent Publication Number: US-11039987-B2

Title: Device for securing a pacifier in an accessible place for the child user during and before use

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to pacifiers and, more particularly, to a device that secures a pacifier to a child accessory so that the child will not lose the pacifier when not in use yet maintain the pacifier in a position the child can readily access it. 
     Babies orally can have trouble keeping a pacifier in their mouth for numerous reasons and sometimes are unable to keep the pacifier within reach. The pacifier may also slip out and be lost in undisclosed places so that the infant has no way to locate and replace it. 
     In response, pacifier may be sewn to a stuffed animal or child&#39;s toy and, but these approaches do not facilitate connecting the pacifier to the child, because if the toy falls the attached pacifier cannot be recovered by the child, depending on their age. 
     Another solution is pacifier retainers, but they may be too short to secure to clothing or equipment. Certain pacifier retainers are integrated into clothing or child accessories, and thus the pacifier is not removable, preventing the use of desired types of pacifier and/or making cleaning of the pacifier challenging as the entire accessory would need to be washed and is at risk of breakdown, hence has proven to be choking hazard. Likewise, replacement of the pacifier is impractical without buying a new accessory. In any of these situations, current solutions may leave the baby inconsolable. Moreover, some pacifier retainers can cover the infants face, causing safety risks. 
     As can be seen, there is a need for a device that facilitates removable securing a pacifier to a child&#39;s accessories so that the pacifier is orally accessible yet prevents the pacifier from being lost. The present invention embodies a securement device that secures a pacifier, of any kind, in a fabric-stuffed elongated tube shape that has a pacifier compartment with a snap closure to hold the pacifier to a proximal end of the tube. The pacifier compartment holds the pacifier at one end exposing just the nipple portion for child to suck on. The proximal end snaps and unsnaps to allow for replacement and interchangeability as well as removal of the pacifier for washing and keeping the pacifier sanitary. The device is long enough—typically extending from the child&#39;s mouth to their abdomen—so that the present invention is able to be snapped, zipped, or tucked into the child&#39;s clothing, strapped into the buckles of a car seat or stroller, bundled in a blanket, or snuggled by the infant, while keeping it within oral reach yet unable to fall. If an infant turns its head or falls asleep, the securement device enables the pacifier to remain within oral vicinity for the child user to rediscover for oral engagement. The present invention also is structured so it does not come close to the face of the baby and it is also soft and comforting and developmentally sound. In addition, the present invention is created to be soothing and comforting to nestle with as a form of security for the child or infant. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one aspect of the present invention, a pacifier securement device including the following: an elongated tube extending between a proximal end and a distal end; a flap extending from the proximal end so as to be movable between an open condition and a closed condition engaging the elongated tube; a plurality of soft nubs spaced apart along an outer surface of the elongated tube; a nipple slot disposed in the flap, the nipple slot being dimensioned to easily receive to easily receive a nipple of any type of a pacifier by insertion therethrough so that the closed condition sandwiches a guard of said pacifier between the flap and the elongated tube; a first fastener portion along an inner surface of the flap; and a second fastener portion along an outer surface of the elongated tube so that in the closed condition the first and second fastener portions securely engage. 
     In another aspect of the present invention pacifier securement device includes the following: an elongated tube extending between a proximal end and a distal end for a distance between twelve and twenty-four inches, wherein the elongated tube is made of soft material; a filling disposed within the elongated tube; a plurality of soft nubs spaced apart along the outer surface of the elongated tube; a flap extending from the proximal end so as to be movable between an open condition and a closed condition engaging the elongated tube; a nipple slot disposed in the flap, the nipple slot being dimensioned to easily receive a nipple of any type of a pacifier by insertion therethrough so that the closed condition sandwiches a guard of said pacifier between the flap and the elongated tube; a first fastener portion along an inner surface of the flap; a second fastener portion along an outer surface of the elongated tube so that in the closed condition the first and second fastener portions securely engage; and a filling disposed within the elongated tube. 
     These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, shown in use; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, taken along line  4 - 4  in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, taken along line  5 - 5  in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a top plan view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 7  is a top plan view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims. 
     Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a securement device that secures a pacifier, of any kind, in a fabric-stuffed elongated tube shape that has a pacifier compartment with a snap closure to hold the pacifier to a proximal end of the tube. The proximal end snaps and unsnaps to allow for replacement and interchangeability as well as removal of the pacifier for washing and keeping the pacifier sanitary. The device is long enough so that the present invention is able to be snapped, zipped, or tucked into the child&#39;s clothing, strapped into the buckles of a car seat or stroller, bundled in a blanket, or snuggled by the infant, while keeping the secured pacifier within oral reach. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 through 7 , the present invention may include a pacifier securement device  10  providing an elongated tube  12  that extends between twelve and twenty-four inches. The tube  12  may be made of soft and comfortable material. The tube  12  may be defined by a base substrate  12   a  and a cover substrate  12   b  joined so as to defining an inner cavity filled with filling  24 . Spaced apart along an outer surface of the elongated tube may be a plurality of nubs  14 . The base substrate  12   a  may extend beyond the cover substrate  12   b  along a longitudinal axis of the elongated tube  12  for as to form a flap  16 . The flap  16  is movable between an open condition, as illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , and a closed condition, as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , providing a pacifier compartment to secure a pacifier  20  to a distal pacifier securement device  10 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , along an inner surface of the flap  16  may be a flap slit  22  dimensioned and adapted to receive a nipple  20   a  of a pacifier  20  yet too small so that the guard  20   b  of the pacifier  20  cannot pass therethrough, as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , thereby securing the pacifier  20  in the pacifier compartment. Fasteners  18  may be attached to the flap  16  so that along the inner surface of the flap  16  one or more first portions  18   b  of the fastener  18  are present. The first portions  18   b  may be located in the corners of the flap  16 . Along an outer surface of the elongated tube  12  may be second portions  18   a  of the fastener  18  that mate with said first portions  18   b  in the closed conditions, so that the flap  16  is secured to the elongated tube  12 . 
     A method of using the present invention may include the following. The pacifier securement device  10  disclosed above may be provided. A user may move the flap  16  to the open condition. Then the user may slide the nipple  20   a  of a pacifier  20  through the flap slit  22  so that it protrudes through an outer surface of the flap  16 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . Then the user may move the flap  16  to the closed condition so that the first and second portions of the fasteners  18  securely engage, trapping the pacifier  20  in the pacifier compartment. Then an infant or toddler can suck on the pacifier  20  while the distal end of the tube  12  can be tucked away in clothing, sleep sacks  26 , portions of strollers, swings, car seats  28  or the like, as illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . The pacifier compartment formed by folding the flap  16  in the closed condition removably secures the pacifier  20 , and as a result, maintains the pacifier  20  within oral reach. Thus, the pacifier  20  is orally accessible since the secured distal end prevents the proximal end from falling too far away from the baby&#39;s mouth. The present invention is also usable as a small soft toy. 
     A method of manufacturing the present invention may include the following steps. An individual may use a strip of fabric 6-8 inches wide and 12-24 inches long, and fold over the length of the strip of fabric in half making the width three to four inches and joining the sides together. The individual may sew the closed end of the fabric and down the long side leaving one end open, from the sewn end, and forming the foldable flap  16 . In the center of the flap  16 , the individual may sew a button hole/slit  22  approximately 1-1\2 inches long and, on each corner place, attach a snap closure  18  to the flap  16  with the button hole to the back of the long tube. This creates the pocket for the pacifier at the open end of the tube  12 . Then the manufacture may stuff pillow stuffing  24  into the open end until the entire tube  12  is filled and has stiffness and stability. 
     It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.