Patent Publication Number: US-10314768-B2

Title: Device for storage and supply of at least one oral requirement-fulfilling element

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is the U.S. national phase of International Patent Application No. PCT/EP2015/057902 filed on Apr. 10, 2015 and is based on European Patent Application No. 10 2014 105 287.0 filed on Apr. 14, 2014, and European Patent Application No. 10 2014 118 765.2 filed on Dec. 16, 2014, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     STATE OF THE ART 
     The invention relates to a device according to the preamble of claim  1 . 
     From DE 102 21 974 A1 a device for storage and supply of at least one oral requirement-fulfilling element for an infant and/or a toddler is known. The device comprises a storage unit for storing the oral requirement-fulfilling element, a filling unit for filling the storage unit with the at least one oral requirement-fulfilling element, and an output unit for retrieving the at least one oral requirement-fulfilling element from the storage unit. 
     The objective of the invention is in particular to provide a generic device allowing a secure storage and easy retrieval of oral requirement-fulfilling elements from a device. The objective is achieved, according to the invention, by the features of patent claim  1 , while advantageous implementations and further developments of the invention may become apparent from the subclaims. 
     Advantages of the Invention 
     The invention is based on a device for storage and supply of at least one oral requirement-fulfilling element for an infant and/or a toddler, with a storage unit for storing the oral requirement-fulfilling element, with a filling unit for filling the storage unit with the at least one oral requirement-fulfilling element, and with an output unit for retrieving the at least one oral requirement-fulfilling element from the storage unit. 
     It is proposed that the device comprises a conveying apparatus for conveying the at least one oral requirement-fulfilling element from the filling unit to the output unit. By an “oral requirement-fulfilling element” is to be understood, in this context, in particular a suckling element, a pacifier element, a drinking bottle element or a toy element for an infant or for a toddler. The pacifier element may be implemented as a suckling body, a shaft supporting the suckling body and a holding ring arranged on the shaft. By the implementation of the device according to the invention, the device can be arranged in a horizontal or in a vertical or in any conceivable position without a negative effect on the conveyance of the oral requirement-fulfilling element. Advantageously the device according to the invention may provide safe hygienic storage and easy retrieval of oral requirement-fulfilling elements in different locations. In particular, the device according to the invention can be fastened to a variety of objects and be made available to an infant and/or toddler in different rooms. A preferred realization of the device according to the invention provides the device to be used in a mobile fashion, thus being particularly expedient and useful in everyday life. 
     The storage unit of the device may have a cylindrical and/or tube-shaped and/or oval and/or rectangular base body, while other combinations of the different implementation forms of the base body are also conceivable, which are deemed expedient by someone having ordinary skill in the art. In particular, the base body of the storage unit may be of one-piece or of multi-part design. “One-piece” is in particular to mean connected by substance-to-substance bond, e.g. by a welding process, an adhesive-bonding process, an injection-molding process and/or by another process that is deemed expedient by someone skilled in the art, and/or advantageously formed in one piece, e.g. by manufacturing from a single cast and/or by manufacturing in a one-component or multi-component injection-molding process, and advantageously from a single blank. The multi-part storage unit may be composed of at least two half-shells and may comprise, along a longitudinal axis, at least one connecting agent and/or a hinge. Furthermore the storage unit may have a perforation and/or slits and/or may be embodied transparent, which allows controlling an inner space of the storage unit. The storage unit may be embodied of a metallic material and/or of a non-metallic material. Depending on type and shape of the oral requirement-fulfilling element, the storage unit may have different diameters or may be implemented of different size and/or length. A plurality of storage units and/or a plurality of versions of a storage unit may be arranged adjacent to each other and/or may be combined with each other. In particular, the storage unit may be provided for a storage of different oral requirement-fulfilling elements. The storage unit can accommodate at least one, in particular at least five, advantageously at least ten oral requirement-fulfilling elements. In a further implementation of the device according to the invention, the storage unit may comprise a recess which can be closed by a door element of the storage unit, thus allowing an access to the inner space of the device in case of malfunctioning. By a “recess” is to be understood, in particular, a material-free region extending, when viewed from a surface of the at least one element that constitutes a main extension surface of the element, at least partly in parallel to a normal direction of the surface, at least substantially into, preferably at least almost through an entire material thickness of the element, wherein the recess is substantially enclosed by the element. 
     For filling the storage unit with the at least one oral requirement-fulfilling element, the filling unit of the device can preferentially be arranged in an end region of the storage unit that is arranged in a geodetically upper position. In particular, the filling unit may be embodied in a one-part implementation with the storage unit, wherein a recess of the filling unit corresponds to the inner contour of the storage unit, or may have a contour that differs from the inner contour of the storage unit. The contour of the recess of the filling unit may advantageously be adapted to an outer contour of the oral requirement-fulfilling element. 
     In an alternative implementation the filling unit can be embodied as a separate unit that can be releasably connected to the storage unit. The filling unit may be embodied as a closure element and/or as a lid element or may comprise a closure element and/or a lid element, wherein the closure element and/or the lid element may comprise a recess and/or an eyelet element and/or a protrusion arranged in a peripheral region for releasing the closure element and/or lid element. In particular, the releasably embodied closure element and/or the lid element may comprise a surface that is closed entirely or at least partly. In particular, the closure element and/or the lid element may be captively connected to the storage unit, for example by the closure element and/or lid element being producible, in an injection-molding procedure, in one piece and with a film hinge, or by the closure element and/or the lid element being connectable to the filling unit or to the storage unit via a connecting element. Advantageously the filling unit may close off the storage unit dust-proof and light-proof, thus permitting the oral requirement-fulfilling elements stored in the storage unit to be protected from contamination even after a large time period. 
     For retrieving the at least one oral requirement-fulfilling element from the storage unit, the output unit of the device may preferentially be arranged in an end region of the storage unit which is oriented downwards towards the earth surface. The output unit may be arranged in a lateral region and/or in an outer wall of the storage unit or on a side of the storage unit that faces away from the filling unit. In particular, a recess of the output unit may correspond to the inner contour of the storage unit or may have a contour that differs from the inner contour of the storage unit. In an alternative implementation the output unit may be implemented as a separate unit that is embodied at least in a one-part implementation and is releasably connectable to the storage unit. The contour of the recess of the output unit may be adapted to an outer contour of the oral requirement-fulfilling element. 
     In an alternative implementation of the device, the device for a storage and supply of at least one oral requirement-fulfilling element for an infant and/or a toddler comprises at least one storage unit for storing the oral requirement-fulfilling element, at least one filling unit for filling the storage unit with the at least one oral requirement-fulfilling element, and comprises at least one output unit for retrieving the at least one oral requirement-fulfilling element from the storage unit. In the alternative implementation it is in particular proposed that the device comprises, as an alternative or in addition to the conveying apparatus, a dosage device. 
     The dosage device can be connected to the output unit of the device or the separately embodied output unit can be implemented as a dosage device. The dosage device may comprise a jointed closure flap element and at least one reset element. The closure flap element is supportable pivotally about a joint element that is connected to the storage unit. In particular, the closure flap element may comprise a reset element integrated in the joint element. In particular, the closure flap element is able to at least partly close a recess of the output unit and/or to at least partly hold the oral requirement-fulfilling element that is located in the output unit, and/or to piece-wise output the oral requirement-fulfilling element that is located in the output unit. 
     In a further embodiment the dosage device may comprise a rotor element. The rotor element can be supported in the storage unit rotatably by an axle. In particular, the axle-supported rotor element can at least partly hold and/or output piece-wise the oral requirement-fulfilling element located in the output unit. 
     The dosage device can be combined with the conveying apparatus. In an alternative embodiment the dosage device may replace the conveying apparatus of the device. The dosage device may in an alternative embodiment be implemented additionally with a manual or an automatic drive unit. 
     For conveyance of the at least one oral requirement-fulfilling element, the conveying apparatus of the device may be arranged inside the storage unit from the filling unit to the output unit. The conveying apparatus may be arranged at least partly in the storage unit. 
     Furthermore the conveying apparatus may be arranged at least partly in parallel to an inner wall of the storage unit and/or axially symmetrically to a longitudinal axis of the storage unit. Preferably the conveying apparatus can convey oral requirement-fulfilling elements from above downwards in a direction of the gravitation force, and the downward-conveyed oral requirement-fulfilling element is retrievable from the output unit of the device according to requirement. Due to the fact that the conveying apparatus is arranged in the storage unit substantially in parallel to an inner wall face of the storage unit, the oral requirement-fulfilling element can be conveyed forward to the output unit with each downward movement, immediately and without a risk of clamping, jamming, or another malfunction while making use of the gravitation force. This is also ensured if the storage unit is arranged not exactly vertically but angled. The invention-conform conveying apparatus of the device therefore allows a continuous and controllable conveyance of the oral requirement-fulfilling element. In case no oral requirement-fulfilling element is retrieved, the conveying apparatus is at a standstill and no oral requirement-fulfilling element can be conveyed. 
     Advantageously oral requirement-fulfilling elements can be laid into the conveying apparatus from above via the filling unit. In particular, the conveying apparatus may enable a conveyance of oral requirement-fulfilling elements. For conveying the at least one oral requirement-fulfilling element, the at least one oral requirement-fulfilling element may in particular be coupled to the conveying apparatus. Further the conveying apparatus may allow a conveyance of oral requirement-fulfilling elements which is linear or differs from a linear conveyance. In particular, the conveying apparatus may be able to receive and convey oral requirement-fulfilling elements from the filling unit to the output unit in the storage unit. As the implementation according to the invention mostly permits avoiding operation disturbances due to clamping and the like, the conveying apparatus has low maintenance demands and is hence operable in a cost-efficient fashion. 
     It is also proposed that the conveying apparatus comprises at least one conveying element and at least two tension pulley elements, which are arranged on an inner wall of the storage unit and about which the conveying element is movable in circulating fashion. Preferably the conveying element comprises two at least substantially parallel contact surfaces which are situated opposite each other. By “at least substantially parallel” is in particular, in this context, an orientation of a direction with respect to a reference direction to be understood, in particular in a plane, the direction having a deviation from the reference direction of in particular less than 8°, advantageously less than 5° and particularly advantageously less than 2°. Advantageously the oral requirement-fulfilling elements can be received and/or supported in a plane of the storage unit between the at least substantially parallel contact surfaces. In particular, the conveying elements situated opposite each other can be arranged inside the storage unit to ensure a secure transport of the at least one oral requirement-fulfilling element from the filling unit to the output unit. In particular, the at least one conveying element may be arranged in parallel to the inner wall of the storage unit and may extend up to peripheral regions of the storage unit and/or between the filling unit and the output unit. The conveying element may have a defined diameter and may be arranged on the two tension pulley elements in a pre-stressed state. The tension pulley elements may be fastened in the peripheral edge regions of the storage unit. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the conveying element may be arranged at least partly inside the storage unit, as a result of which a portion of the conveying element may be arranged along the inner wall of the storage unit and a portion of the conveying element may be arranged along an outer wall of the storage unit, wherein the two tension pulley elements may be arranged in a wall of the storage unit about which the conveying element is movable in a circulating fashion. Alternatively the tension pulley elements can be integrated into the storage unit, as a result of which component costs and assembly costs are reducible. By way of the arrangement of the conveying element according to the invention, a retrieval of the oral requirement-fulfilling element may additionally be effected by actuating the conveying element from an outside. 
     In an advantageous implementation of the invention, the conveying element is embodied as a tooth belt element with an exterior tooth system. A spacing of the tooth system of the tooth belt element serves in particular for receiving the oral requirement-fulfilling element, wherein a “spacing of the tooth system” is to mean a spacing from tooth to tooth of the tooth belt system. As the conveying element is in at least substantially continuous contact to the oral requirement-fulfilling element while the oral requirement-fulfilling element is conveyed inside the device, and is able to move the oral requirement-fulfilling element toward the output unit with each movement of the conveying element, it is advantageously possible to make sure of a defined, steady conveyance of the oral requirement-fulfilling element to the output unit of the device. It is further advantageous that the conveying apparatus is especially robust and long-lived due to the overall low mechanical load on the respective components and due to their stable construction. 
     It is moreover proposed that the conveying apparatus comprises a manual or an automatic drive unit. By a “drive unit” is to be understood, in this context, in particular an electrical motor unit and/or a mechanical unit which is advantageously provided, in operation, to generate a rotary movement of an output shaft. Advantageously it is in particular to be understood as an electromotor. Preferentially a “drive unit” is in particular to be understood as a motor unit. In particular, the drive unit is arrangeable inside and/or outside the device. The drive capacity required for the electrical drive unit may be designed at a low level as the conveyance of the oral requirement-fulfilling element toward the output unit may be favored by its own weight, which may have a favorable effect on a capacity requirement and on an energy consumption of the drive unit. A mechanical drive unit may be embodied in such a way that at least part of the conveying element is guidable along an outer wall of the storage unit and is manually operable from the outside, or in such a way that the conveying element arranged in the storage unit is operable from the outside via a drive wheel element which at least partly sticks out of the storage unit and is in operative connection with the conveying element; other implementations of the mechanical drive unit being also conceivable, which are deemed expedient by someone having ordinary skill in the art. 
     Furthermore it is proposed that the automatic drive unit of the conveying apparatus comprises a sensor controlling and/or regulation and/or a radio controlling and/or regulation. In case of a sensor controlling and/or regulation, at least one sensor may capture a movement and/or a temperature and/or an acoustical signal and/or a light signal. Capturing of a parameter and/or of a physical property may be effected actively, e.g. in particular by generating and emitting an electrical measurement signal, and/or passively, e.g. in particular by capturing property changes of a sensor component and/or by capturing a current flowing over a resistor and/or a voltage. In particular, the drive of the automatic drive unit can be monitored, controlled and/or regulated taking into account the values captured by the sensor. In particular, the drive unit of the device can be controlled and/or regulated via the sensor controlling and/or regulation and can initiate an output of an oral requirement-fulfilling element at the output unit. In an advantageous implementation of the sensor controlling and/or regulation, means for indication, in particular means for indication of the monitoring of the drive, may be provided, which are directly or indirectly connectable to the sensor. Advantageously the captured information is also presentable at and/or outside the device visually or acoustically. In particular, the drive unit of the device can be controlled and/or regulated via the radio controlling and/or regulation and can initiate an output of an oral requirement-fulfilling element at the output unit. In an advantageous embodiment the sensor controlling and/or regulation and/or the radio controlling and/or regulation is implemented integrated in a drive unit. 
     In another advantageous implementation of the invention, the device comprises at least one video transmitting unit and/or at least one sound transmitting unit, which are provided to transmit and/or reproduce optical and/or acoustical signals live. Advantageously the video transmitting unit and the sound transmitting unit can be activated or deactivated directly at the device or via sensor controlling and/or regulation and/or via radio controlling and/or regulation. To permit an automatic monitoring of an individual&#39;s state, the video transmitting unit and/or the sound transmitting unit may comprise at least one recording apparatus element that can be activated or deactivated via sensor controlling and/or regulation and/or via radio controlling and/or regulation. For example, the at least one recording apparatus element of the video transmitting unit and/or of the sound transmitting unit can be activated by a movement and/or by an acoustical signal of the monitored individual, recording or reproducing a video sequence and/or a sound sequence. The advantage of this type of live monitoring is that, while the monitored individual, e.g. a child, and the monitoring individual, e.g. a parent, do not have to be at the same place permanently, still an overall optimum monitoring of the monitored individual or a communication with the monitored individual may be effected. Particularly preferably the video transmitting unit and/or the sound transmitting unit may thus be embodied as a babyphone transmitting unit. The video transmitting unit and/or the sound transmitting unit may comprise a memory unit for individual speech recordal. In this way advantageously a playback of a previously stored acoustical or video file may advantageously be facilitated, e.g. for playing a previously stored bedtime song. 
     It is also proposed that the conveying apparatus comprises at least one movement controlling and/or regulating element which is operatively connected to the at least one conveying element. The movement controlling and/or regulating element is at least partly arrangeable on an outer wall of the storage unit at least partly protruding into the storage unit. In particular, the conveying apparatus is actively controllable and/or regulatable via the movement controlling and/or regulating element. The movement controlling and/or regulating element may comprise at least one pulley element that may be arranged in the storage unit in an operative area of the at least one conveying element of the conveying apparatus. In particular, the movement controlling and/or regulating element may comprise an adjustable resilient pulley element. The pulley element of the movement controlling and/or regulating element can be controlled and/or regulated from the outside by way of an adjusting element of the movement controlling and/or regulating element. In particular, the movement velocity of the at least one conveying element of the conveying apparatus can be controlled and/or regulated by the movement controlling and/or regulating element, depending on the weight of the requirement-fulfilling element, as the at least one pulley element of the movement controlling and/or regulating element is able to apply, via the adjusting element of the movement controlling and/or regulating element, a defined pressure onto the at least one conveying element of the conveying apparatus which is arrangeable between the at least one pulley element of the movement controlling and/or regulating element and the inner wall of the storage unit. In particular, with increasing pressure of the pulley element onto the conveying element of the conveying apparatus, the movement velocity of the at least one conveying element of the conveying apparatus can be reduced. In case of lightweight requirement-fulfilling elements, the operative connection between the movement controlling and/or regulating element and the at least one conveying element of the conveying apparatus can be deactivated completely. 
     It is furthermore proposed that the device comprises a detent element, which is operatively connected to at least one conveying element. By a “detent element” is in particular an element to be understood which is provided to be brought into contact with another detent element for the purpose of a detent, which allows a detent force to be transferred via the two detent elements. In particular, the conveying apparatus that is operatively connected to the detent element may be entirely blocked, as a result of which transport of the oral requirement-fulfilling elements can be stopped in an emergency. 
     It is also proposed that the device comprises at least one lighting unit, which is provided to light up when a parameter and/or a physical property is captured by the sensor controlling and/or regulation, thus additionally advantageously allowing a visual guidance to the output unit as well as a display of an optical signal. In particular, the lighting unit may be embodied as an LED. If the lighting unit is activated, a changing signal can be outputted. The lighting unit may be activated and/or deactivated as required. Additionally or alternatively, the lighting unit may illuminate the device at least partly for the purpose of making the device easily recognizable in the dark, the light intensity of the lighting unit being adjustable. Herein the light intensity of the lighting unit is preferably controllable and/or regulatable by means of a controlling and/or regulation unit of the device. 
     In an advantageous implementation of the invention, the device comprises a support unit with at least one guiding element for guiding the at least one oral requirement-fulfilling element within the storage unit. For additionally excluding a tilting of the oral requirement-fulfilling element while the oral requirement-fulfilling element is conveyed in the device, the inner contour of the storage unit is adaptable to the outer contour of the oral requirement-fulfilling element by way of one or two guiding elements being insertable in the storage unit. In particular, the guiding element is releasably insertable in the storage unit, e.g. by hinging or clipping. The guiding element may be implemented hollow, of a metallic material and/or of a non-metallic material. “Releasably” is in particular to mean, in this context, non-destructively separable. Preferentially the guiding element is embodied as a guiding rod or guiding stick. 
     In an alternative implementation the device may comprise a contour-adapting unit which is provided to adapt an outer contour of an oral requirement-fulfilling element to an inner contour of the storage unit. The contour-adapting unit may replace the guiding element as the contour of the guiding element may be imitated by the contour-adapting unit. The contour-adapting unit may comprise at least one elastic clip element, which is producible in a cost-effective and simple fashion. The at least one clip element of the contour-adapting unit may be slipped onto the oral requirement-fulfilling element directly, e.g. onto a shaft of a pacifier element, in a force-fit and/or form-fit fashion. 
     In this way a great number of differently embodied oral requirement-fulfilling elements are adaptable to the device according to the invention quickly and easily. In particular, the contour-adapting unit may be manufactured as a universal clip element for several different oral requirement-fulfilling elements. “In a form-fit fashion” is in particular to mean that surfaces of connected structural elements which contact each other exert a holding force onto each other that acts in a normal direction of the surfaces. In particular, the structural elements are in geometric engagement with each other. “In a force-fit fashion” is herein in particular to mean a releasable fastening, a holding force between two structural elements being transferred preferably by a geometric engagement of the structural elements into each other and by a friction force between the structural elements. This particularly advantageously allows saving assembly costs and production costs for a support unit. 
     In one implementation of the invention is proposed that the support unit extends at least substantially from the filling unit to the output unit of the storage unit. By the constructive implementation of the support unit according to the invention, a risk of jamming of the oral requirement-fulfilling elements or of another malfunction may be minimized along an entire conveying length of the conveying apparatus in the device. 
     It is proposed that the filling unit comprises a releasable closure element with a child protection for closing the filling opening of the storage unit. In particular, the closure element may be embodied for rotating assembly. The closure element may comprise at least one thread turn and/or a snap lock and/or a bayonet lock with a high blocking effect. In an alternative embodiment, the closure element may comprise a detent, which may be effected via a blocking lobe integrated in the closure element. Other closure elements with a child protection, which are deemed expedient by someone skilled in the art, are of course also conceivable. By way of the closure element both the contents of the device may be protected and an infant and/or a toddler may be protected from injury. 
     In a further implementation of the device it is proposed that the device comprises an adapter unit to connect the storage unit to a further storage unit. By an “adapter unit” is in particular a unit to be understood which is at least partly implemented by at least one structural element differing from a device and is provided to connect at least two devices. In particular, the adapter unit may be already integrated in the storage unit or may be implemented as a separate unit that is embodied at least of one piece and is connectable to the storage unit releasably. This allows vertically connecting at least two devices. In an alternative implementation of the adapter unit, at least two devices can be arranged side by side and connected to each other, wherein the connected devices may be loaded with different oral requirement-fulfilling elements. In particular, the number of stored oral requirement-fulfilling elements may be at least doubled in this way. 
     Furthermore it is proposed that the output unit comprises a retaining unit, which is provided to prevent the oral requirement-fulfilling element from falling out of the storage unit. In particular, the retaining unit may hold an oral requirement-fulfilling element supported in the output unit securely in the device until it is pulled out by an infant and/or toddler. The inner contour of the retaining unit is adapted to the outer contour of the oral requirement-fulfilling element. Preferably the retaining unit may be manufactured of a thin-walled elastic material which is extendable on retrieval of the oral requirement-fulfilling element. The oral requirement-fulfilling element, in particular the suckling body or the holding ring, which is supported in the output unit of the storage unit, may protrude from the retaining unit and/or the device at least partly, as a result of which the oral requirement-fulfilling element is especially easily retrievable. 
     It is proposed in a further implementation of the invention that the storage unit comprises at least one fastening element, by means of which the storage unit is releasably fixable to an element of a child&#39;s bed or of a vehicle or to a wall or to brickwork or to a glass pane. Advantageously the device can be releasably fixated to an element particularly quickly and easily by means of a fastening element. The fastening element is able to generate, in an assembled state, a tension state that allows a stable connection of the device to an element. By means of a separately embodied fastening element, a considerable reduction of the assembly effort of installation of the device may be facilitated. In particular, mounting and/or demounting of the fastening element and the device may be effected without using a tool. In particular, the fastening element is re-usable when the device and/or the fastening element has been demounted. The fastening element comprises self-clamping and/or self-detent mechanics as a child protection. In particular, the fastening element may be implemented as a hook-and-loop fastener element or as a suspension element or as a sucking element or as a quick-release element or as a connecting sleeve or as a tubular sleeve or as a rubber band element or as a non-skid clamping element, other fastening elements, which are deemed expedient by someone skilled in the art, being also conceivable. In an alternative embodiment it is conceivable that the fastening element is embodied in a one-part implementation with the storage unit. 
     It is further proposed that the at least one conveying element is embodied as a tooth belt element with an interior tooth system and that at least one drive element of the conveying element comprises a corresponding exterior tooth system. This allows reducing or preferentially entirely avoiding a slipping of the conveying element and a tilting of the oral requirement-fulfilling element in the storage unit during a transport from the filling unit to the output unit. A “drive element of the conveying element” is in this context to be understood as an element applying a drive force onto the conveying element. Preferably the drive element is embodied as a tension pulley element. 
     It is also proposed that the conveying apparatus comprises at least one further conveying element and at least one synchronizing element which is arranged between the two conveying elements and is operatively connected to the two conveying elements. In this way an asynchronism between the two conveying elements and a tilting of the oral requirement-fulfilling element in the storage unit during transport from the filling unit to the output unit may be avoided. A “synchronizing element” is to be understood, in this context, as an element transferring forces between two driven elements and/or between two drive elements, resulting in the two driven elements running at a same velocity. Preferentially the synchronizing element is embodied as a cogwheel. Principally alternative implementations of the synchronizing element are possible, e.g. shaped as a figure eight encompassing the two driven elements and/or as a rubber band or a belt wrapped around the two drive elements. By the synchronizing element being “operatively connected to the two conveying elements” is to be understood, in this context, that the cogwheel meshes with drive elements of the conveying elements directly or indirectly, as a result of which a compensation of differing drive velocities of the conveying elements is effected via the cogwheel. 
     Furthermore it is proposed that the at least one conveying element comprises joints as well as support surfaces for the at least one oral requirement-fulfilling element which are supported on the joints. This allows laying the support surface alongside the conveying element in case of a movement of the support surfaces in a movement direction. A space to be reserved for the conveying elements with support surfaces is thus reducible and a compact device is achievable. 
     It is moreover proposed that the at least one conveying element comprises hooks for holding the at least one oral requirement-fulfilling element. As a result of this, a structurally simple, space-saving holding unit is achievable which holds the oral requirement-fulfilling element during transport. 
     Further is proposed that the at least one conveying element comprises joints on which the hooks are supported. This allows laying the hook alongside the conveying element in case of a movement of the support surfaces in a movement direction. A space to be reserved for the conveying elements with hooks is thus reducible and a compact device is achievable. 
     It is also proposed that the device comprises a cover unit, which at least partly encompasses the storage unit on the outside. In this way devices with different exterior designs can be made available, which are implemented identically except for a design of the respective cover unit. By a “cover unit” is, in this context, a unit to be understood which partly encompasses the storage unit on the outside and implements an exterior design of the device. Preferentially the cover unit is embodied as a figure, e.g. an animal figure. 
     It is further proposed that the storage unit has a viewing window. This allows identifying a possible tilting of an oral requirement-fulfilling element without having to open the device. 
     Furthermore a system is proposed, with a device according to the invention and an oral requirement-fulfilling element. 
     It is also proposed that the device comprises a filling unit with an inlet contour that corresponds to an outer contour of the at least one oral requirement-fulfilling element. In this way erroneous filling of the storage unit with elements other than oral requirement-fulfilling elements is avoidable. The outer contour may be implemented in such a way that differently embodied oral requirement-fulfilling elements are introducible into the filling unit. 
     The device according to the invention is herein not to be limited to the application form and implementation form described above. In particular, for fulfilling a functionality herein described, the device according to the invention may comprise a number of respective elements, structural components and units that differs from a number herein mentioned. 
    
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
       Further advantages may be gathered from the following description of the drawings. In the drawings ten exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown. The drawings, the description and the claims contain a plurality of features in combination. The person having ordinary skill in the art will purposefully also consider the features separately and will find further expedient combinations. 
       It is shown in: 
         FIG. 1  in a sectional view, a first exemplary embodiment of a device according to the invention with a storage unit, a filling unit, an output unit and a conveying apparatus, 
         FIG. 2 a    in a perspective view a second exemplary embodiment of the device according to the invention with a filling unit which is embodied as a releasable lid element and with a door element, 
         FIG. 2 b    in a view from above, an oral requirement-fulfilling element embodied as a pacifier element, with a circular shaft, which is arranged in the device according to the invention of  FIG. 2   a,    
         FIG. 3 a    in a perspective view, a third exemplary embodiment of the device according to the invention, with a guiding element which is arranged in the storage unit, 
         FIG. 3 b    in a view from above, an oral requirement-fulfilling element embodied as a pacifier element, with an indentation in the shaft of the pacifier element, the pacifier element being arranged in the device according to the invention of  FIG. 3   a,    
         FIG. 4 a    in a perspective view, a fourth exemplary embodiment of the device according to the invention with two guiding elements which are arranged in the storage unit, 
         FIG. 4 b    in a view from above, an oral requirement-fulfilling element embodied as a pacifier element, with four indentations in the shaft of the pacifier element and with a contour-adapting unit, the pacifier element being arranged in the device according to the invention of  FIG. 4   a,    
         FIG. 5  in a lateral view, a fifth exemplary embodiment of the device according to the invention, with a dosage device comprising a closure flap element and a reset element, 
         FIG. 6  in a view from above, the device according to the invention of  FIG. 5 , with a reset element integrated in a joint element of the dosage device, 
         FIG. 7  in a sectional view, a sixth exemplary embodiment of the device according to the invention, with a dosage device comprising a rotor element, 
         FIG. 8  a schematic presentation of a seventh exemplary embodiment of the device according to the invention, with a conveying apparatus comprising two conveying elements and two cogwheels which are arranged between the two conveying elements and are operatively connected to the two conveying elements, the conveying elements being embodied as tooth belt elements with an interior tooth system, and tension pulley elements having a corresponding exterior tooth system, 
         FIG. 9  a schematic presentation of an eighth exemplary embodiment of the device according to the invention, with conveying elements having joints and support surfaces for the at least one oral requirement-fulfilling element which are supported on the joints, 
         FIG. 10  a schematic presentation of a ninth exemplary embodiment of the device according to the invention, with conveying elements having hooks for holding the at least one oral requirement-fulfilling element and joints which the hooks are supported on, 
         FIG. 11  a schematic presentation of a tenth exemplary embodiment of the device according to the invention, with a cover unit embodied as a caterpillar and with a viewing window onto a storage unit, and 
         FIG. 12  a schematic presentation of a system consisting of the device according to the invention and an oral requirement-fulfilling element. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
       FIGS. 1 to 12  show ten exemplary embodiments of a device according to the invention. 
       FIG. 1  shows a first exemplary embodiment of the device for storage and supply of at least one oral requirement-fulfilling element  10  for an infant and/or a toddler. A pacifier element comprising a suckling body  10 . 1 , a shaft  10 . 2  carrying the suckling body  10 . 1  and a holding ring  10 . 3  arranged on the shaft  10 . 2  is applicable as an oral requirement-fulfilling element  10 . The device comprises a storage unit  12  for storing oral requirement-fulfilling elements  10 , a filling unit  14  for filling the storage unit  12  with oral requirement-fulfilling elements  10 , and an output unit  16  for retrieving the oral requirement-fulfilling elements  10  from the storage unit  12 . The storage unit  12  comprises a tube-shaped cylindrical base body manufactured in a one-part implementation in an injection-molding procedure of a plastic material. The filling unit  14  is integrated in an upper end region  28  of the storage unit  12 . As can be seen in  FIG. 1 , the filling unit  14  is embodied as a filling opening  14 . 1  and is embodied corresponding to the inner contour of the cylindrical base body of the storage unit  12 . The output unit  16  is arranged in a bottom end region  30  of the storage unit  12  which is situated opposite the filling unit  14 . For the purpose of an infant&#39;s or a toddler&#39;s better gripping of the oral requirement-fulfilling element  10 , the output unit  16  additionally has two recesses  32  opposite each other in the wall  12 . 3  of the storage unit  12 , resulting in an operator-friendly implementation of a gripping region in the output unit  16 . 
     To ensure secure support and easy retrieval of the at least one oral requirement-fulfilling element  10  from the device, the device comprises a conveying apparatus  18  for conveying the at least one oral requirement-fulfilling element  10  from the filling unit  14  to the output unit  16 . 
     The conveying apparatus comprises, according to  FIG. 1 , two conveying elements  18 . 1 ,  18 . 2  and four tension pulley elements  20 , 1 ,  20 . 2 ,  20 . 3 ,  20 . 4 . The tension pulley elements  20 , 1 ,  20 . 2 ,  20 . 3 ,  20 . 4  are arranged on an inner wall  12 . 1  in the bottom end region  30  and the upper end region  28  of the storage unit  12 , about which the two conveying elements  18 . 1 ,  18 . 2  are supported movably in circulating fashion. The conveying elements  18 . 1 ,  18 . 2  are mounted on the tension pulley elements  20 , 1 ,  20 . 2 ,  20 . 3 ,  20 . 4  as closed rings, in a pre-stressed fashion. 
     The conveying element  18 . 1 ,  18 . 2  is embodied as a tooth belt element with an exterior tooth system  22 . The tooth belt element has a spacing of the tooth system  22  and comprises a contact surface between the teeth, the spacing being adapted to the oral requirement-fulfilling element  10  and/or to the material thickness of the shaft  10 . 2  of the pacifier element. The shaft  10 . 2  of the pacifier element and/or of the oral requirement-fulfilling element  10  is received between the teeth of the tooth belt element and between the two opposite contact surfaces of the conveying elements  18 . 1 ,  18 . 2  in a plane. The space between the conveying elements  18 . 1 ,  18 . 2  is fully loadable with oral requirement-fulfilling elements  10  arranged one above the other. When the oral requirement-fulfilling element  10  located in the output unit  16  is retrieved, there is a movement of the conveying element  18 . 1 ,  18 . 2  in a transport direction toward the output unit  16 . In this movement, all oral requirement-fulfilling elements  10  located in the device are also moved toward the output unit  16 . The conveying apparatus  18  is adjusted in such a way that, on retrieval of the oral requirement-fulfilling element  10  from the output unit  16 , an oral requirement-fulfilling element  10  follows into the output unit  16 , ready for retrieval. The device is replenishable with oral requirement-fulfilling elements  10  in any conceivable filling state. 
     The device comprises, according to  FIG. 1 , a detent element  54 , which is operatively connected to the conveying element  18 . 1 ,  18 . 2 . The detent element  54  is arranged on the outer wall  12 . 2  of the storage unit  12  and comprises an adjustable detent pin element  54 . 1 , which is insertable between the teeth of the conveying element  18 . 1 ,  18 . 2  on activation. 
       FIG. 2 a    shows a second exemplary embodiment of the device, which is additionally implementable with a conveying apparatus  18  comprising a manual or an automatic drive unit  58 . The manual drive unit  58  can be operated via a drive wheel element and the automatic drive unit  58  can be operated via a battery-supplied electrical motor unit. Both drive units  58  respectively directly drive a tension pulley element  20 , 1 ,  20 . 2 ,  20 . 3 ,  20 . 4  of the conveying element  18 . 1 ,  18 . 2  via an output shaft, and are arranged on an outer wall  12 . 2  of the storage unit  12 . 
     In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention the automatic drive unit  58  of the conveying apparatus  18  comprises a sensor controlling and/or regulation and/or a radio controlling and/or regulation. Via the drive unit  58  of the device, an output of an oral requirement-fulfilling element  10  is initiatable at the output unit  16  by an infant or by a toddler in a sensor-controlled and/or -regulated fashion and/or by a parent in a radio-controlled and/or -regulated fashion. The sensor controlling and/or regulation and/or the radio controlling and/or regulation is integrated in the drive unit  58  and may be operated directly at the device or indirectly via a separate radio controlling and/or regulation. 
     As can be seen in  FIG. 2 a   , for closing the filling opening  14 . 1  of the storage unit  12 , the filling unit  14  comprises a releasable closure element  26 . The closure element  26  is embodied as a screw top having a thread and may hence be opened by an infant and/or by a toddler with difficulty or not at all. The storage unit  12  comprises a recess  34  in its wall  12 . 3 , which can be closed by means of a door element  36  and allows an access to the interior space of the device in case of malfunctioning. The device according to  FIG. 2 a    serves for receiving and guiding the oral requirement-fulfilling element  10  embodied according to  FIG. 2 b   , hence not comprising a support unit. The circular inner contour of the storage unit  12  corresponds to the circular outer contour of the oral requirement-fulfilling element  10 , thus allowing a form-fit guidance of the oral requirement-fulfilling element  10 . 
     According to  FIG. 2 a   , the device further comprises a lighting unit  56 , which is configured to light up in case of a capturing of a parameter and/or of a physical property by means of the sensor controlling and/or regulation. The lighting unit  56  is arranged on the outer wall  12 . 2  of the storage unit  12 . 
     If a particularly high number of oral requirement-fulfilling elements  10  is to be supplied, according to  FIG. 2 a    a storage unit  12  is connectable to a further storage unit  12  by means of an adapter unit  50 . The adapter unit  50  may be embodied in two different implementation versions: on the one hand as an adapter unit  50  which is arranged, according to  FIG. 2 a   , at the storage unit  12  or at the filling unit  14  on a front side, thus prolonging a device by one or several devices, on the other hand as an adapter unit  50  (not shown here) which connects two or several storage units  12  to each other which are arranged in parallel to each other. The adapter unit  50  is especially advantageous in case of transporting several devices or in a usage in a daycare center and/or in a nursery school, where a huge demand for oral requirement-fulfilling elements  10  is given. 
       FIG. 2 b    shows an oral requirement-fulfilling element  10  implemented as a pacifier element, with a circular shaft  10 . 2  for the device according to the invention of  FIG. 2 a   . The storage unit  12  expediently comprises a fastening element  52  by means of which the storage unit  12  is releasably fixable to an element of a child&#39;s bed or of a vehicle, or to a wall or to brickwork, or to a glass pane. 
     To ensure a secure conveyance of the oral requirement-fulfilling elements  10  and/or to exclude a malfunction of the device, the device comprises a support unit  24 .  FIG. 3 a    shows a third exemplary embodiment of the device, comprising a support unit  24  with a guiding element  24 . 1  for guiding the oral requirement-fulfilling element  10  which is embodied according to  FIG. 3 b    and comprises a concave indentation  10 . 4  in the shaft  10 . 2  of the pacifier element. The guiding element  24 . 1  is herein embodied as a guiding rod, in particular as a hollow guiding rod. Thus, when the oral requirement-fulfilling element  10  is introduced into the storage unit  12 , the guiding element  24 . 1  is introducible into the storage unit  12  into the indentation  10 . 4 . This allows guiding the oral requirement-fulfilling element  10  in a state when the oral requirement-fulfilling element  10  is arranged in the storage unit  12 . 
       FIG. 4 a    shows a fourth exemplary embodiment of the device, comprising within the storage unit  12  two guiding elements  24 . 1 ,  24 . 2  of the support unit  24  for guiding the oral requirement-fulfilling element  10  which is embodied according to  FIG. 4 b    and comprises two concave indentations  10 . 4   a ,  10 . 4   b  in the shaft  10 . 2  of the pacifier element. The outer contour of the guiding element  24 . 1 ,  24 . 2  corresponds to the outer contour of the oral requirement-fulfilling element  10 , thus allowing a form-fit guidance of the oral requirement-fulfilling element  10 . The guiding element  24 . 1 ,  24 . 2  is implemented of a plastic material as an oval hollow element, which engages, by means of two spaced-apart hook elements, into corresponding recesses (not shown here) of the storage unit  12  which are arranged in an upper end region  28  and in a bottom end region  30  of the storage unit  12 . The support unit  24  extends from the filling unit  14  to the output unit  16  of the storage unit  12 . 
       FIG. 4 b    shows an oral requirement-fulfilling element  10 , which is implemented as a pacifier element and on which a contour-adapting unit  60  of the device is arranged. The contour-adapting unit  60  is embodied for adapting an outer contour of the oral requirement-fulfilling element  10  to an inner contour of the storage unit  12 . The contour-adapting unit  60  comprises four clip elements  60 . 1 ,  60 . 2 ,  60 . 3 ,  60 . 4 , the outer contour of the oral requirement-fulfilling element  10  being adaptable to the inner contour of the storage unit  12  via the clip elements  60 . 1 ,  60 . 2  in the region of the support unit  24 , and a further adaptation of the outer contour of the oral requirement-fulfilling element  10  to the inner contour of the storage unit  12  being realizable via further contour-adapting clip elements  60 . 3 ,  60 . 4 . The clip elements  60 . 1 ,  60 . 2 ,  60 . 3 ,  60 . 4  of the contour-adapting unit  60  can be slipped onto the oral requirement-fulfilling element  10  and/or onto the pacifier element directly. 
       FIGS. 5 and 6  show a fifth exemplary embodiment, and  FIG. 7  shows a sixth exemplary embodiment of the device, respectively additionally comprising a dosage device  46 . The dosage device  46  is implemented for outputting the oral requirement-fulfilling element  10  from the device piece-wise. To this purpose the conveying apparatus  18  can be combined with and/or connected to the dosage device  46 . The oral requirement-fulfilling element  10  conveyed in the conveying apparatus  18  is transferable, in the output unit  16 , from the conveying apparatus  18  into the dosage device  46 . The dosage device  46  can be embodied connectable to the output unit  16  of the device or in a one-part implementation with the storage unit  12 . 
     According to  FIG. 5 , the dosage device  46  comprises a closure flap element  42 , which is connected to the storage unit  12  via a joint element  40 , and a reset element  38  which is embodied as a tension spring element und holds the closure flap element  42  in an original position and/or at a right angle to the wall  12 . 3  of the storage unit  12 . The reset element  38  is arranged, according to  FIG. 5 , on the outer wall  12 . 2  of the storage unit  12  and is, according to  FIG. 6 , integrated in the joint element  40  of the dosage device  46 . The closure flap element  42  is supported pivotally about the joint element  40 , which is connected to the storage unit  12 . In its original position, the closure flap element  42  partly closes a recess  16 . 1  of the output unit  16  and keeps the oral requirement-fulfilling element  10  that is located in the output unit  16  ready for retrieval. On retrieval of the oral requirement-fulfilling element  10  from the dosage device  46 , the closure flap element  42  pivots out of its original position counter to a spring force of the reset element  38 , releasing the oral requirement-fulfilling element  10 . 
     According to  FIG. 7 , the dosage device  46  comprises a rotor element  44 . The rotor element  44  is supported rotatably by means of an axle in a rotor housing element  12 . 4  of the storage unit  12 . The axle-supported rotor element  44  keeps the oral requirement-fulfilling element  10  located in the recess  16 . 1  of the output unit  16  ready for retrieval. On retrieval of the oral requirement-fulfilling element  10  out of the dosage device  46 , the rotor element  44  rotates by a given angle, releasing the oral requirement-fulfilling element  10 . 
     In a further, not shown embodiment the conveying apparatus  18  of the device may be replaced by a dosage device  46 . In this way piece-wise output of the oral requirement-fulfilling element  10  is ensured. 
     As can be seen in  FIG. 7 , the conveying apparatus  18  comprises a movement controlling and/or regulating element  48 , which is operatively connected to the at least one conveying element  18 . 1 ,  18 . 2 . The movement controlling and/or regulating element  48  partly protrudes into the storage unit  12  and is partly arranged on an outer wall  12 . 2  of the storage unit  12 . The movement controlling and/or regulating element  48  comprises an adjustable resilient pulley element  48 . 1 , which is arranged in the storage unit  12  in an operative region of the conveying element  18 . 1 ,  18 . 2  of the conveying apparatus  18 . The pulley element  48 . 1  of the movement controlling and/or regulating element  48  can be controlled and/or regulated from the outside via an adjusting element  48 . 2  of the movement controlling and/or regulating element  48 . The movement controlling and/or regulating element  48  is implemented for controlling and/or regulating the movement velocity of the conveying element  18 . 1 ,  18 . 2  by way of a defined pressure onto the conveying element  18 . 1 ,  18 . 2  via the pulley element  48 . 1  being adjustable by means of the adjusting element  48 . 2 . Adjustment of the pressure onto the conveying element  18 . 1 ,  18 . 2  is effected depending on a weight of the oral requirement-fulfilling element  10 . 
       FIG. 8  shows a conveying apparatus  18  for conveying the at least one oral requirement-fulfilling element  10  from a filling unit  14  to an output unit  16  according to another alternative embodiment. The conveying apparatus  18  comprises two conveying elements  18 . 1 ,  18 . 2  embodied as tooth belt elements with an interior tooth system  61 , and four drive elements of the conveying element  18 . 1 ,  18 . 2  embodied as tension pulley elements  20 . 1 ,  20 . 2 ,  20 . 3 ,  20 . 4 , each of which comprising a corresponding exterior tooth system  62 . The interior tooth system  61  of the conveying elements  18 . 1 ,  18 . 2  herein engages into the exterior tooth system  62  of the tension pulley elements  20 . 1 ,  20 . 2 ,  20 . 3 ,  20 . 4 . In case of a movement of the conveying elements  18 . 1 ,  18 . 2 , the conveying element  18 . 1  maintains, due to the interior tooth system  61  and the exterior tooth system  62  engaging into each other, its relative position to the tension pulley elements  20 . 1 ,  20 . 2  by which it is driven, and the conveying element  18 . 2  maintains its relative position to the tension pulley elements  20 . 3 ,  20 . 4  by which it is driven. 
     On the conveying elements  18 . 1 ,  18 . 2  support surfaces  65  for the oral requirement-fulfilling element  10  are arranged, which stick out from a surface of the conveying elements  18 . 1 ,  18 . 2  at a right angle. A distance between neighboring support surfaces  65  of the same conveying element  18 . 1 ,  18 . 2  is chosen in such a way that an oral requirement-fulfilling element  10  can be received between two support surfaces  65 . During transport of the oral requirement-fulfilling element  10  in the conveying apparatus  18 , one oral requirement-fulfilling element  10  lies upon the support surfaces  65  with a shaft  10 . 2 . 
     The conveying apparatus  18  comprises two synchronizing elements  63 , which are embodied as cogwheels and are arranged between the two conveying elements  18 . 1 ,  18 . 2  and are in operative connection to the two conveying elements  18 . 1 ,  18 . 2 . The synchronizing elements  63  cog with each other and respectively with one of the drive elements embodied as tension pulley elements  20 . 1 ,  20 . 3  which drive the different conveying elements  18 . 1 ,  18 . 2 . Differing drive velocities of the tension pulley elements  20 . 1 ,  20 . 3  are compensated by way of the synchronizing elements  63 , as a result of which the conveying elements  18 . 1 ,  18 . 2  move with a same velocity. 
       FIG. 9  shows a further alternative embodiment of a conveying apparatus  18  for conveying at least one oral requirement-fulfilling element  10  from a filling unit  14  to an output unit  16 , wherein the conveying apparatus  18  comprises a conveying element  18 . 1  having joints  64  and support surfaces  65  for the at least one oral requirement-fulfilling element  10  which are supported on the joints  64 . In a movement in a movement direction from the filling unit  14  to the output unit  16 , the support surfaces  65  stick out from the conveying element  18 . 1  at a right angle, forming a contact surface for a shaft  10 . 2  of the oral requirement-fulfilling element  10  during transport. In a movement direction from the output unit  16  to the filling unit  14 , the joints  64  permit the support surfaces  65  a movement by which the support surfaces  65  fold to the conveying element  18 . 1  embodied as a tooth belt element. The support surfaces  65  position themselves alongside the conveying element  18 . 1  in case of a movement in this movement direction. 
       FIG. 10  shows another alternative embodiment of a conveying apparatus  18  for conveying at least one oral requirement-fulfilling element  10  from a filling unit  14  to an output unit  16 , wherein the conveying apparatus  18  comprises a conveying element  18 . 1  having hooks  66  for holding the at least one oral requirement-fulfilling element  10 . The hooks  66  are provided to engage into a holding ring  10 . 3  of the oral requirement-fulfilling element  10 . When the oral requirement-fulfilling element  10  is introduced into a storage unit  12 , the holding ring  10 . 3  drops sidewards and engages into one of the hooks  66 . The conveying element  18 . 1  comprises joints  64  on which the hooks  66  are supported. In case of a movement direction from the output unit  16  to the filling unit  14 , the joints  64  permit the hooks  66  a movement up to the conveying element  18 . 1  that is embodied as a tooth belt element. In case of a movement in this movement direction, the hooks  66  position themselves alongside the conveying element  18 . 1 . 
       FIG. 11  shows another alternative embodiment of a device for storage and supply of at least one oral requirement-fulfilling element  10  for an infant and/or a toddler. A cover unit  67  encompasses a storage unit  12  on an outside at a top side. The cover unit  67  implements an outer design of the device and is configured as a caterpillar. Differently configured cover units  67  may be configured, for example, as other animal figures, e.g. a mouse or a butterfly, or as other figures, e.g. a cartoon character. For example, cover units  67  designed as geometrical shapes are also conceivable. The storage unit  12  comprises a viewing window  68  which permits a view of the oral requirement-fulfilling elements  10  located in the storage unit  12 . The cover unit  67  has a recess for the viewing window  68 . 
     The device comprises a movement controlling and/or regulating element  48  for actuating the conveying apparatus  18 , which protrudes from the cover unit  67 . The movement controlling and/or regulating element  48  is embodied as a rotary button and comprises a transverse bar. A position of the transverse bar supplies an optical signal regarding a rotation of the movement controlling and/or regulating element  48 . Alternatively or additionally to an optical signal of the movement controlling and/or regulating element  48 , the device may comprise optical signals at the conveying elements  18 . 1 ,  18 . 2 , which are visible through the viewing window  68  and, when visible, signalize that another oral requirement-fulfilling element  10  can be introduced into the device. Such an optical signal could, for example, be implemented by red points or other distinguishing designs arranged spaced apart on the conveying elements  18 . 1 ,  18 . 2 , between two received oral requirement-fulfilling elements  10 . In addition, a user of the device may in one implementation experience a haptic signal which signalizes him that another oral requirement-fulfilling element  10  can be introduced into the storage unit  12  of the device. In one exemplary embodiment such a haptic signal may be implemented as a resistance, when the movement controlling and/or regulating element  48  is rotated, in a certain rotation position in which the conveying apparatus  18  has transported an inlaid oral requirement-fulfilling element  10  sufficiently far that another oral requirement-fulfilling element  10  can be inserted. The certain rotation position in which the resistance occurs has been chosen depending on dimensions of the conveying apparatus  18  and of the oral requirement-fulfilling elements  10  intended to be transported through the conveying apparatus  18 . 
     In another exemplary alternative implementation, the device comprises a movement controlling and/or regulating element  48  with a mechanism which, when the movement controlling and/or regulating element  48  is actuated, puts the conveying apparatus  18  in action until an introduced oral requirement-fulfilling element  10  has been transported sufficiently far that another oral requirement-fulfilling element  10  can be introduced and the conveying apparatus  18  is stopped. In addition, in this implementation an optical and/or haptic signal may be outputted that another oral requirement-fulfilling element  10  can be introduced. For example, the movement controlling and/or regulating element  48  may have been put in motion while the conveying apparatus  18  is conveying the oral requirement-fulfilling element  10 , which means that stopping the movement implements the signal. 
       FIG. 12  shows a system consisting of a device and an oral requirement-fulfilling element  10 . A filling unit  14  of the device has an inlet contour  69  corresponding to an outer contour of the at least one oral requirement-fulfilling element  10 . Introduction of foreign elements into the device is made difficult by the inlet contour  69 . 
     REFERENCE NUMERALS 
     
         
           10  Oral requirement-fulfilling element 
           10 . 1  Suckling body (pacifier element) 
           10 . 2  Shaft (pacifier element) 
           10 . 3  Holding ring (pacifier element) 
           10 . 4   a ,  10 . 4   b  Indentation (pacifier element) 
           12  Storage unit 
           12 . 1  Inner wall (storage unit) 
           12 . 2  Outer wall (storage unit) 
           12 . 3  Wall (storage unit) 
           12 . 4  Rotor housing element 
           14  Filling unit 
           14 . 1  Filling opening 
           16  Output unit 
           16 . 1  Recess (output unit) 
           18  Conveying apparatus 
           18 . 1 ,  18 . 2  Conveying element 
           20 . 1 ,  20 . 2 , Tension pulley element 
           20 . 3 ,  20 . 4   
           22  Tooth system 
           24  Support unit 
           24 . 1 ,  24 . 2  Guiding element (support unit) 
           26  Closure element (filling unit) 
           28  Upper end region (storage unit) 
           30  Bottom end region (storage unit) 
           32  Recess (storage unit) 
           34  Recess (storage unit) 
           36  Door element 
           38  Reset element (pull-spring element) 
           40  Joint element 
           42  Closure flap element (output unit) 
           44  Rotor element 
           46  Dosage device 
           48  Movement controlling and/or regulating element 
           48 . 1  Pulley element 
           48 . 2  Adjusting element 
           50  Adapter unit 
           52  Fastening element 
           54  Detent element 
           54 . 1  Detent pin element 
           56  Lighting unit 
           58  Drive unit 
           60  Contour-adapting unit 
           60 . 1 ,  60 . 2 , Clip element (contour-adapting unit) 
           60 . 3 ,  60 . 4   
           61  Interior tooth system 
           62  Exterior tooth system 
           63  Synchronization element 
           64  Joint 
           65  Support surface 
           66  Hook 
           67  Cover unit 
           68  Viewing window 
           69  Inlet contour