Patent Document

RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention was first described in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/008,848 filed on Dec. 26, 2007, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to cleanliness indicator for pacifiers comprising a pacifier body with a mouth guard and a nipple attached thereto and a sliding member rotatably positioned between a first notifying inscription and a second notifying inscription viewable therethough a viewing port thereof the pacifier body to indicate a cleanliness state. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Many young children take comfort in the use of a pacifier. Satisfying the child&#39;s natural tendency to suckle, the pacifier allows a parent to satisfy the child&#39;s instinct by providing a nipple upon which to suckle. As with any item exposed to a child it must be assured that it is kept clean and germ-free at all times. However, it is exceedingly difficult to determine whether or not pacifier is clean or dirty by simply looking at it. Many times, a pacifier found on a sink or countertop may have just been cleaned or may be there waiting to be cleaned. As such, many clean pacifiers are often re-cleaned and dirty pacifiers may be given back to child. Accordingly, there exists a need for means by which the current state of a pacifier&#39;s cleanliness can be easily determined. The development of the device described herein fulfills this need. 
     There have been attempts in the past to improve pacifiers. U.S. Pat. No. 6,905,507 issued to Hinshaw discloses a teething pacifier with varied teething surfaces thereon for a child to use for teething. Unfortunately, this patent does not appear to disclose a rotatably-mounted pacifier cleanliness indicator for visually displaying the hygienic status of a pacifier. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,695,869 issued to Fitzpatrick et al. discloses a pacifier with two substrates molded together. Unfortunately, this patent does not appear to disclose a pacifier with a cleanliness indicator. 
     U.S. Pat. No. D 532,522 issued to Struckmeyer discloses a pacifier with an open central area. Unfortunately, this design patent does not appear to be similar in appearance to the disclosed device, nor does it appear to possess a cleanliness indicator. 
     U.S. Pat. No. D 520,640 issued to Pilis discloses a pacifier. Unfortunately, this design patent does not appear to be similar in appearance to the disclosed device, nor does it appear to disclose a rotatably-mounted pacifier cleanliness indicator for visually displaying the hygienic status of a pacifier. 
     U.S. Pat. No. D 453,379 issued to Roehrig discloses a pacifier. Unfortunately, this patent does not appear to be similar in appearance to the disclosed device, nor does it appear to disclose a pacifier with a cleanliness indicator. 
     U.S. Pat. No. D 413,387 issued to Fitzpatrick discloses a pacifier with a ribbed nipple portion. Unfortunately, this design patent does not appear to be similar in appearance to the disclosed device. 
     U.S. Pat. No. D 393,074 issued to Fields et al. discloses a combined pacifier and clip attachment. Unfortunately, this design patent does not appear to be similar in appearance to the disclosed device, nor does it appear to disclose a rotatably-mounted pacifier cleanliness indicator for visually displaying the hygienic status of a pacifier. 
     U.S. Pat. No. D 380,836 issued to Simmons discloses a pacifier with a plurality of openings in the guard and handle. Unfortunately, this design patent does not appear to be similar in appearance to the disclosed device, nor does it appear to comprise a cleanliness indicator. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In light of the disadvantage as discussed previously in the prior art, it is apparent that there is a need for a pacifier cleanliness indicator that indicates the cleanliness state of an infant&#39;s pacifier. 
     An object of the pacifier cleanliness indicator comprises a pair of integral viewing ports to display indicia indicating whether the pacifier is clean and safe for usage. 
     A further object of the pacifier indicator system comprises a body, handle, and a guard fabricated of a Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved plastic. 
     An aspect of the pacifier cleanliness indicator comprises a body, a guard portion, a viewing port, a handle portion, a nipple portion attached to the guard portion, and a sliding member. 
     A further aspect of the pacifier cleanliness indicator comprises a body comprising a disc shape attached or molded to a rear surface of the guard. The body comprises a domed contour comprising a pair of receiving apertures to pivotally receive an end portion of the handle portion. 
     Still another aspect of the pacifier cleanliness indicator comprises a guard that is circumferentially-shaped to match a facial contour of a user such as a baby, infant, toddler, or child, and acts as a barrier between the face of the user and the handle portion. 
     Still a further aspect of the pacifier cleanliness indicator comprises a handle portion that is elliptically-shaped and provides a pivoting means about the inserting posts in relation to the body for easy grasping. 
     Yet another aspect of the pacifier cleanliness indicator comprises a body further comprising a window and an internal rotary sliding member. The sliding member comprises a flat circular disc rotatingly contained within said body being rotated in a parallel manner about a transverse axle. The sliding member pivots upon agitation of an operable tab that comprises a digit-operated appendage formed along a perimeter edge of the sliding member. 
     Yet a further aspect of the pacifier cleanliness indicator comprises a window portion of the body comprising a circular segment shaped opening therein a rear surface of the body that facilitates protrusion of the tab therethrough. The sliding member and the body are to remain in said selected position until repositioning of the tab occurs. The sliding member comprises a first notifying inscription and a second notifying inscription and two (2) viewing ports through which to observe said notifying inscriptions. 
     Yet still a further aspect of the pacifier cleanliness indicator comprises a transverse axle that provides rotary motion for the sliding member. 
     A method of utilizing the device may be achieved by performing the following steps: viewing the first notifying inscription through the window to verify the device is “CLEAN”; providing the device to a baby, toddler, infant, or child; once the child has completed use of the device, motioning the tab in a clockwise fashion thereby pivotally rotating the sliding member until it is stopped against an edge portion of the window, thus indicating that the device is “DIRTY”; viewing the “DIRTY” or second notifying inscription through the viewing port; and, cleansing the device for subsequent usage. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a rear view of a pacifier cleanliness indicator  10  specifying a first inscription  70 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a front view of the pacifier cleanliness indicator  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; and, 
         FIG. 3  is a rear cut-away view of the pacifier cleanliness indicator  10  depicting a second inscription  72 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 10 
                 pacifier cleanliness indicator 
               
               
                 20 
                 guard 
               
               
                 22 
                 nipple 
               
               
                 25 
                 aerating aperture 
               
               
                 30 
                 viewing port 
               
               
                 40 
                 body 
               
               
                 45 
                 receiving aperture 
               
               
                 46 
                 inserting post 
               
               
                 47 
                 window 
               
               
                 50 
                 handle 
               
               
                 60 
                 sliding member 
               
               
                 62 
                 axle 
               
               
                 65 
                 tab 
               
               
                 70 
                 first inscription 
               
               
                 72 
                 second inscription 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 3 . However, the invention is not limited to the described embodiment and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments of the invention are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the invention, and that any such work around will also fall under scope of this invention. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. 
     The present invention describes a pacifier cleanliness indicator (herein described as the “device”)  10 , indicating a cleanliness state of an infant&#39;s pacifier via a display  30  for exhibiting said cleanliness state. The device  10  comprises a body  40 , a guard  20 , a viewing port  30 , a handle  50 , and a sliding member  60 . The device  10  is envisioned to be introduced in a plurality of sizes and colors to accommodate children, toddlers, infants, and babies. The body  40 , handle  50 , and guard  20  are envisioned to be fabricated of a Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved plastic and produced using an injection molding process that would require the design and use of custom molds. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a rear perspective and a side perspective view of the device  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, are disclosed. The device  10  provides a typical pacifier comprising additional enhancements comprising a guard  20 , a nipple  22 , a body  40 , and a handle  50 . Said guard  20 , nipple  22 , body  40 , and handle  50  comprise a conventional design using FDA approved materials. The nipple portion  22  is envisioned to be of a hollow or solid design using materials such as, but not limited to: latex, silicone, natural rubber, or the like and attached thereto the guard portion  20  in a conventional manner using adhesives and/or compound molding techniques. The guard  20  is envisioned to be circumferentially shaped to match that of a facial contour of a user such as a baby, infant, toddler, or child, thereby acting as a barrier between the face of the user and the handle  50 . The guard  20  may be a plurality of thicknesses, and comprises a plurality of aerating apertures  25  therethrough providing an aerating means thereof a facial area of a user especially while sucking on the nipple  22 . The guard  20  may also be of a plurality of sizes with varying curvatures to allow a utilization of the device  10  on infants of various sizes and facial features. 
     The body  40  comprises a disc shape attached or molded thereto a rear surface of the guard  20  and positioned centered therewith and perpendicular thereto the nipple  22 . The rearward surface of the body comprises a domed contour comprising a pair of receiving apertures  45  located at laterally opposed positions thereon to pivotally receive an end portion of a handle  50 . The handle  50  is preferably elliptically shaped having a round cross-section; however, the device  10  may be introduced having various shaped handles  50  such as circumferential, rectangular, or any other suitable shape, with inserting posts  46  that are pivotally received thereinto the receiving aperture portions  45  of the body  40 . The handle  50  provides a pivoting means thereabout said inserting posts  46  in relation to the body  40  for easy grasping. The body  40  is envisioned to comprise a window  47  and an internal rotary sliding member  60 . The sliding member  60  comprises a flat circular disc rotatingly contained therewithin said body  40  being rotated in a parallel manner about a transverse axle  62  (see  FIG. 3 ). The sliding member  60  is envisioned to pivot upon agitation of an operable tab  65  along a bottom perimeter portion of said sliding member  60 . The tab  65  comprises a digit operated appendage formed along a perimeter edge of the sliding member  60  at a right angle and protruding therefrom a rear surface of the body  40 . The window portion  47  of the body  40  comprises a circular segment shaped opening therein a rear surface of the body  40  along at a lower edge, thereby facilitating protrusion of said tab  65  therethrough. Upon receipt of pivotal agitation of said tab  65 , the sliding member  60  rotatingly pivots about the transverse axle  62  in a clockwise or counterclockwise fashion thereby the user. Said window  47  further provides a rotary stopping means thereto the sliding member  60  when a certain desirable position is obtained. The stopping function of the window  47  would permit the sliding member  60  to pivot approximately one-quarter (¼) turn. Said selected position of the sliding member  60  is maintained via an internal friction means envisioned to result therefrom a snug fit therebetween said sliding member  60  and the body  40  and/or molded interfering features. Said sliding member  60  and the body  40  are to remain in said selected position until repositioning of the tab  65  occurs. 
     The sliding member  60  comprises a first inscription  70  and a second inscription  72  being printed, embossed, or otherwise marked thereon with notifying indication as to the cleanliness of the device  10 . The inscriptions  70 ,  72  comprise preferably “CLEAN” and “DIRTY” indicia, respectively; however, it is understood that other indicating terms may be provided which also describe a contaminated or ready-to-use state of the device  10  with equal benefit. The tab  65  can be motioned, thereby rotating the sliding member  60  in a clockwise or counterclockwise fashion to display a desired notifying inscription  70 ,  72  into view as to notify the parent, care-giver, and/or other surrounding people that the device  10  is “CLEAN” or “DIRTY”. 
     The body  40  further comprises two (2) viewing ports  30  located therealong an upper perimeter edge through which to observe said notifying inscriptions  70 ,  72 . The notifying inscriptions  70 ,  72  are positioned thereupon the sliding member  60  so as to be displayed in an alternating manner such that a single notifying inscription  70 ,  72  is visible therethrough one (1) of two (2) viewing ports  30  based upon a relative position of the tab  65  while a second notifying inscription  70 ,  72  is concealed therebehind the rear surface of the body  40 . The viewing ports  30  are envisioned to be sized accordingly in a manner which would allow the notifying inscriptions  70  to be viewed clearly. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a rear cut-away view of the device  10  depicting a “DIRTY” second inscription  72 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The device  10  is illustrated here displaying the second notifying inscription  72  being displayed therein a viewing port  30  resulting therefrom rotary motioning of the tab  65  and sliding member  60  thereto an opposing edge of the window  47  (see  FIG. 1 ). Additionally, a portion of the body  40  has been cut away to better illustrate a position of the first notifying inscription  70  in a hidden position therebeneath said body  40 . The rotary motion of the sliding member  60  is provided via a transverse axle  62  integrally molded and protruding therefrom a rear surface of the guard  20  being inserted therethrough a center portion of said sliding member  60 , thereby providing an axle-like function. 
     It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. The invention discloses an indicating means specifically for use on pacifiers which would indicate as to whether the device  10  was “CLEAN” and ready for use, or “DIRTY” and must be cleansed prior to additional use. After initial purchase or acquisition of the device  10 , it would be configured as indicated in  FIG. 1 . 
     The method of utilizing the device  10  may be achieved by performing the following steps: viewing the first notifying inscription  70  therethrough the window  30  to verify the device  10  is “CLEAN”; providing the device  10  thereto a baby, toddler, infant, or child; once the child has completed use of the device  10 , motioning the tab  65  in a clockwise fashion thereby pivotally rotating the sliding member  60  until it is stopped thereagainst an edge portion of the window  47 , thus indicating that the device  10  is “DIRTY”; viewing the “DIRTY” or second inscription  72  therethrough the viewing port  30 ; and, cleansing the device  10  for subsequent usage. 
     The device  10  comprises a pair of integral viewing ports  30  to display whether said device  10  is clean and safe for usage. The tab  65  is envisioned to be utilized to rotate and position the sliding member  60  in a desired position so as to display the proper inscription  70 ,  72  as to whether the device  10  is “CLEAN” or “DIRTY”, respectively. After cleansing the device  10  in a normal manner, the tab  65  may be motioned in a counterclockwise fashion until the “CLEAN” or first inscription  70  may be viewed clearly therethrough the viewing port  30 . In such a manner, the parent, care-giver, or the like may be aware of a cleanliness state of the device  10 , thereby safeguarding an infant from germs, soil, and the like. 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention and method of use to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions or substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but is intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention.

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