EP0695160B1 - Baby's dummy - Google Patents

Abstract

Described is a baby's dummy (1) with a sucking element (3), extending out from a shield (2), and with a handle (4) as well as a chewing element which is made up of at least one chewing zone (8; 28; 38) in the form of a bead (9; 29; 39) running along the edge (6, 7) of the shield (2; 22; 32).

Description

The invention relates to a pacifier according to the introductory part of claim 1.

Infants and young children tend to put items in the Poke your mouth and chew on it. This is particularly true Soothers or pacifiers too, in which the child often not only sucks and chews on the designated suction part, but also on other parts, such as the shield part. Since the Part of the shield on soothers for safety reasons against ingestion and stability from one relatively stiff, solid material, which is harder than the material of the suction cup part results here Risk of injury to the child.

A soother is disclosed in GB 1 516 249 A, in which the suction part is designed such that the front teeth of the child using the teat free from the teat part being held. The one specially trained for this purpose Sucker part is with separate side arms for one front, actual sucker body provided, and a bite is only on these side arms, with the molars, enables. However, these arms are not a specific chewing zone suitable, but only to be regarded as bracket arms, so that this well-known pacifier despite its elaborate Design no improvement on the above described situation - chewing on the shield part, etc.

The urge to chew is in infants or toddlers particularly strong when there is pain when teething, by biting on a preferably not too hard Chewing a temporary relief of pain (the caused by piercing teeth).

From EP 116 003 B1 and from US 3 267 937 A and US 3,669,117 A, it is already known to use pacifiers as Teething rings designed grip rings as teething aids. However, this solution is hygienically problematic because the ring provided as a grip part also forms the teether, apart from the fact that the teether has its own, as a foreign body element to be considered forms on the pacifier.

Furthermore, DE 12 87 253 A is a generic one Known pacifier, the circular holding part for the Suction cup part with a teething ring arranged concentrically on the outside connected is. About the nature or nature of the for this However, both components of the pacifier material used made no statement.

DE 92 13 576 U describes a pacifier, the harder Shield part on the mouth side with a coating of soft Material is provided. This coating material surrounds the Shield part on the circumference as a narrow soft edge.

Then it is from DE 33 47 876 C or from DE 33 16 824 already known, the entire shield structure with overmoulding soft suction material so as to build up the Soother with as few individual parts and especially in an indissoluble form. Except The very complicated molding process results here however, the disadvantage of a relatively large consumption expensive suction material (silicone rubber). In addition, at the well-known soothers from the nipple material existing casing only thin, so that the shield part when on it is chewed, teeth or jaw nonetheless opposes a hard resistance, and a suitability as a chewing or Bite part is not given.

The entire pacifier has already been proposed in one piece from silicone rubber to produce, cf. US 5 004 473 A. One such Soother is too soft overall for safety against swallowing and sufficient stability ensure, and accordingly, such a pacifier easily swallowed. Besides, this one Soothers a particularly high consumption of expensive Given silicone rubber material, which is economically unacceptable is.

It is an object of the invention to provide a pacifier the type mentioned at the beginning, the needs and habits of infants and toddlers, and the natural integration of a chewing zone in the pacifier in a simple and hygienically perfect way enables.

The invention provides a solution to this problem Soothers with the features of claim 1 before.

In the soother according to the invention, the soft edge area of the shield part itself a chewing zone in the form a comparatively thick chewing bead, the bead material is correspondingly soft and suitable for chewing. So that results natural integration of the chewing zone into an existing one Part of the pacifier, which subsequently functions as a problem Chewable part can be put in the mouth. Another advantage it follows that often when vigorously sucking on the suction part resulting sharp impressions of the edge of the shield around the mouth area of the infant and the associated skin irritation at least can be significantly reduced because of the soft bead material in the area of the infant's mouth is coming. In this context, it is also of particular advantage that only in each of the two when used in the area of Corner of the side of the shield located at the corner of the mouth Chew bead is attached. That way, not just one allows a symmetrical design of the pacifier overall, but in the same way on both sides of the mouth area, in the area of the corners of the mouth, a soft contact of the pacifier ensured with the shield part. This is especially for soothers with an elongated, lemniscate-shaped Shield part of importance, such as according to AT-338 440 B or AT 379 508 B.

For a good suitability for chewing, it is beneficial if that Bead material made of silicone rubber, latex or a rubber-like Material, preferably with a Shore A hardness between 30 and 90.

The bead material could be separate from the shield part can be made, and then it could be over, for example Snap or snap connections are attached to the shield part. For security reasons, a solution is preferred, however which the bead material is permanently attached to the shield part.

One way of making the bead material undetachable on the shield part to attach, results in an advantageous manner in that the Bead material is molded onto the material of the shield part. It is also a very intimate, homogeneous connection advantageous if the bead material with the material of the Shield part is intermolecularly networked.

On the other hand, the bead material on the shield part can also be glued or welded, for example a Ultrasonic welding can be applied.

In addition or instead, the bead material can also be mechanically and / or positively anchored on the shield part. In this context, it is for a positive connection particularly advantageous when anchoring the bead material on the shield part material areas by in known Ways provided in the shield part, such as Emergency breathing openings or air drying openings. Furthermore, it is also favorable here if the Bead material on the shield part Fastening holes in the shield part are provided near the outer edge and material webs extend through these mounting holes.

In principle, in areas of the shield part where there is chewing is not to be expected, such as in the area of constriction lemniscate-shaped pacifier shield parts, also a mechanical one Connection are provided, which are often manufacturing technology is preferable, and accordingly is an advantageous embodiment of the pacifier according to the invention characterized in that the bead material on the shield part by Riveting or screwing is anchored.

It is also advantageous if the chewing bead from one liquid-filled hollow body. This results in in addition the possibility of achieving a special pain relieving effect when the pacifier with the Chewing bead hollow body which is filled with a liquid, is cooled immediately before use.

It has proven to be a favorable compromise between the demands on the one hand after a relatively thick, wide chewing bead and on the other hand after a relatively slight thickening of the shield part of the pacifier when the chewing bead proves you generally circular cross-section, with a diameter between 3 mm and 7 mm.

Fig. 1 einen Längsschnitt durch einen Beruhigungssauger gemäß der Linie I-I in Fig. 2;

Fig. 2 eine Ansicht des Schildteiles dieses Beruhigungssaugers von der Saugerseite her, wobei jedoch der Einfachheit halber der Saugerteil weggelassen wurde;

Fig. 3 in vergrößertem Maßstab einen Teil-Schnitt durch den Randbereich des Schildteiles mit dem ihn umschließenden Wulst, im wesentlichen gemäß der Linie I-I in Fig. 2; und

Fig. 4 in vergrößertem Maßstab einen entsprechenden Schnitt durch den Schildrand samt Wulst gemäß der Linie IV-IV in Fig. 2.

The invention will now be explained in more detail below with reference to an exemplary embodiment which is illustrated in the drawing and is particularly preferred but not restrictive. Show it:

1 shows a longitudinal section through a pacifier according to the line II in Fig. 2.

Fig. 2 is a view of the shield part of this pacifier from the suction side, but for the sake of simplicity the suction part has been omitted;

3 shows, on an enlarged scale, a partial section through the edge region of the shield part with the bead surrounding it, essentially along line II in FIG. 2; and

4 shows, on an enlarged scale, a corresponding section through the edge of the shield including the bead along the line IV-IV in FIG. 2.

1 and 2 is the one shown therein Soothers or pacifiers 1 from one in a shield part or mouth shield 2 held suction part 3; on the of Sucker part 3 facing away from the shield part 2 is a cap-shaped handle part 4 locked on the shield part 2 and / or glued on. In this respect, the general structure of the Soother or pacifier 1 that in AT 379 508 B or AT 338 440 B shown construction.

The sucker part 3 (hereinafter referred to as sucker) exists made of natural rubber, silicone rubber or another rubber-like Material that meets softness requirements, Corresponds to strength and compatibility. The shield part 2 (hereinafter referred to as a shield) and the cap-shaped handle 4 (hereinafter referred to as cap) consist of an im Compared to the suction material stiff, solid material, e.g. out Polypropylene or polycarbonate to reliably prevent that an infant or toddler deforms the entire pacifier 1 and put him in the wrong and dangerous position in the Mouth takes.

The shield 2 also has relatively large openings 5 provided as emergency breathing or air drying openings serve, cf. also the above-mentioned AT-379 508 B`

The shield 2, which is approximately lemniscate in plan view (see FIG. 2) is in its two opposite one another lateral edge areas, which when used in the area of the corners of the mouth or come to rest on the cheeks of the child, and the 2 generally illustrated at 6 and 7, with chewing zones 8 provided in the form of chewing beads 9. The beads 9 exist thereby entirely from a rubber-like material, which it due to its softness and dimensions the toddler or infant allows you to chew and bite on it and in particular, with short stopping of tooth growth, the teething pain to alleviate.

In particular, silicone rubber is used as the material for the beads 9 or a similar rubber material with a Shore A hardness between 30 and 90, the bead material being used by spraying around the edge of the shield 2 is attached. Depends on the softness of the material the approximate bead thickness, i.e. the diameter of the cross section approximately circular beads 9 (see also Fig. 3 and 4), chosen between 3 mm and 7 mm.

The beads 9 extend through with material areas the openings 5 in the shield 2, as illustrated at 10 in FIG. 3 is what they are anchored to the shield 2. For additional Anchoring of the beads 9 on the edge of the shield are in the respective Edge area 6 or 7 of the shield 2, in an arrangement accordingly a line equidistant from the edge of the shield, small Attachment holes 11 attached through which the bead material also flows during the extrusion process, whereby Material webs 12 are formed, cf. 3 and 4. This Holes 11 are used in the manufacture of the shield 2 (by injection molding) as well as the openings 5. From Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 thus results that the beads 9 each in the Areas where their material is marginal during the molding process can flow through the openings 5, a closed Have ring circumference (Fig. 3), or that where there are no openings 5 are present, at least one material web 12 in a fastening hole 11 anchored the bead 9 on the shield 2 (Fig. 4). The Openings 5 can, as can be seen from FIG. 2, on their the side facing the edge of the shield to this edge of the shield have a parallel course, as a result of which the material region 10 has a constant thickness within the respective opening 5. In deviation from this, of course, could also e.g. More round openings 5 may be provided so that extending Material areas 10 of the beads 9 with varying Result in thickness. For a particularly good anchorage however, the embodiment shown with the edge of the shield parallel opening edges preferred.

In addition to or instead of the mechanical described Anchoring the beads 9, with the help of going through the openings 5 extending material areas 10 and through the additional holes 11 extending material webs 12, a shield-bead unit can also be sprayed, in a two-component injection process, in which the temperature control is chosen so that the Contact areas between the material of the actual shield 2 and that of the beads 9 a partial fusion or crosslinking of the two materials occurs; this makes one extraordinary firm anchoring achieved.

In addition, it would also be possible to use the beads 9 to be generated separately from the shield 2 and at the edge regions 6, 7 of shield 2 e.g. by gluing or welding, in particular Ultrasonic welding, to be fixed. In this case the mounting holes 11 can also be omitted.

To attach the respective bead 9 to the shield 2 can in addition to the described anchoring options such mechanical anchors, such as rivets, screws or Lock, especially with a subsequent loosening preventing Locking elements are accomplished. Of course the connecting elements are to be arranged in this way and to choose that they are not distracting when chewing and biting Act. This applies, for example, in the case of the pacifier 1 and 2 on the inner ends of the Bead 9, in the area of the holes 11 ', to - at these points there is little chance that the infant will be at each Bead 9 chews, according to the indentations of the lemniscate-shaped shield 2.

3 and 4, the material for the chewing zones 8, i.e. for the beads 9, fully provided, but it would also be in In principle possible, these chewing zones 8 by bead-like hollow bodies to form, which can be filled with a liquid, such as this in itself from US 3,669,117 A - there for one overall one-piece and completely liquid-filled pacifier - is known. In this case the possibility arises Soothers 1 and thus the liquid filling immediately Cool before use, taking a chilled liquid fill has an additional pain relieving effect.

Another modification to those described Embodiments would also consist of a full-surface Provide shield part 2, so no openings 5 or holes 11 has, and on this shield part 2 the respective side slotted chewing bead 9 by injection molding, gluing, welding etc. to attach.

Furthermore, it is not absolutely necessary that the respective Chewing bead 9 is generally circular in cross section - an oval Cross-sectional shape would also be conceivable, for example.

Claims (14)

1. A pacifier (1) comprising a nipple member (3) projecting from a shield member (2), and a handle member (4) as well as furthermore a rim element which is soft as compared to the shield member (2) and is present only in the rim region (6, 7) of the shield member (2), characterised in that the shield member is generally lemniscate-shaped and that the soft rim element (6, 7) forms a chewing bead (9) which is thicker as compared to the remaining shield member (2) and projects from the shield member on either side thereof, the chewing bead being attached only in each of the two lateral regions (6, 7) of the generally lemniscate-shaped shield member (2) which, in use, lie in the region of the corners of the mouth.
2. A pacifier according to claim 1, characterised in that the bead material is silicone caoutchouk, latex or a rubber-like material.
3. A pacifier according to claim 2, characterised in that the bead material has a Shore A-hardness of between 30 and 90.
4. A pacifier according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the bead material is undetachably applied to the shield member (2; 22; 32).
5. A pacifier according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the bead material is injection-moulded to the material of the shield member (2; 22; 32).
6. A pacifier according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the bead material is intermolecularly cross-linked with the material of the shield member (2; 22; 32).
7. A pacifier according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the bead material is glued to the shield member (2; 22; 32).
8. A pacifier according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the bead material is welded to the shield member (2; 22; 32).
9. A pacifier according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the bead material is anchored on the shield member (2; 22; 32) mechanically and/or by positive locking.
10. A pacifier according to claim 9, characterised in that material regions (10) project through openings (5), such as emergency breathing openings or air drying openings, provided in the shield member (2; 22; 32) to anchor the bead material on the shield member (2; 22; 32).
11. A pacifier according to claims 9 or 10, characterised in that fastening holes (11) are provided in the shield member (2; 22; 32) near the outer rim thereof and material webs (12) project through these fastening holes (11) to anchor the bead material on the shield member (2; 22; 32).
12. A pacifier according to claim 9, characterised in that the bead material is anchored on the shield member (2; 22; 32) by riveting or screwing.
13. A pacifier according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterised in that the chewing bead (9; 29; 39) is made of a lilquid-filled hollow body.
14. A pacifier according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterised in that the chewing bead (9; 29; 39) has a generally circular cross-section having a diameter of between 3 mm and 7 mm.

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