WO2009027969A1

WO2009027969A1 - Pacifier accessory

Info

Publication number: WO2009027969A1
Application number: PCT/IL2008/001158
Authority: WO
Inventors: Dror Eytan
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-08-27
Filing date: 2008-08-25
Publication date: 2009-03-05
Anticipated expiration: 2010-02-27

Abstract

A pacifier accessory (10) for use with a pacifier having a shield (G) and a nipple (N). The accessory (10) comprises an absorbent pad with an inward facing surface (16), an outward facing surface (14) and an aperture (12) corresponding to the nipple (N). The accessory (10) is adapted to be placed over the nipple (N) whereby the inwardly facing surface (16) interfaces with the shield (G) and the outwardly facing surface (14) interfaces with a user when the pacifier is in use. The pad is generally intended to absorb saliva which may be irritating; however it may also include medication or soothing cream and the like.

Description

PACIFIER ACCESSORY

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to pacifiers for infants and toddlers, in particular a pacifier accessory.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Pacifiers are well known and commonly used to calm infants and toddlers (hereinafter "infants" or variations on same) and provide for their natural suckling instinct. One of the issues associated with pacifiers is that they sometimes cause irritation of the infant's skin, particularly at the upper and/or lower lip area, cheek and chin of the infant. This may be due to the material of the pacifier, rubbing on the infant's skin, the collection of saliva and other such reasons.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a pacifier accessory intended to prevent, mitigate or relieve skin issues that can be associated with the use of a pacifier, which may include providing medication to the skin, including the lips, in the area of the accessory, and/or medication to treat respiratory issues and the like. The term "medication" herein the specification and claims will be used in its broadest sense and include any agent, or combination thereof, that promotes recovery from injury or ailment, or treats, prevents or alleviates the symptoms of disease or discomfort. This includes creams, lotions, emollients, moisturizers, ointments, powders, and drugs, for example, for treating any form of dermatitis (rash, irritation, inflammation, eczema, psoriasis, etc.), allergies, infections, wounds, respiratory issues (e.g. asthma, influenza, colds, congestion and so on), fever and the like; and may include an antibiotic, antiseptic, antihistamine, antifungal, steroids (e.g. corticosteroids), vitamins, herbs, analgesics, and soothing, smoothing, moisturizing or protective agents; or any other medicament that can be contained and transferred by the pacifier accessory to the user.

The pacifier accessory is essentially a pad, which may comprise one or more layers of material, typically one of which is an absorbent layer. The pad is typically relatively thin and typically is dimensioned in its area to correspond in shape to common pacifiers, including comprising an aperture to fit over a pacifier's nipp'e. The pad is adapted to be placed on the pacifier so that it interfaces with the infant when in use. The pad is designable so that it can be used with virtually type of pacifier.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention there is provided a pacifier accessory for use with a pacifier, the pacifier comprising a shield and a nipple. The accessory comprises an absorbent pad with an inward facing surface, an outward facing surface and an aperture corresponding to the nipple whereby the inwardly facing surface interfaces with the shield and the outwardly facing surface interfaces with a user when the pacifier is in use.

According to some embodiments, the pad's aperture is smaller than the maximum diameter of the nipple; in other embodiments, the pad's aperture is smaller than the minimum diameter of the nipple; and in still other embodiments, the pad's aperture is larger than the maximum diameter of the nipple.

In some embodiments, the pad comprises a medication.

In accordance with some embodiments, the pacifier accessory comprises an aperture that is smaller than the maximum diameter of the nipple. In some embodiments, the pacifier accessory comprises an elastic annular portion surrounding at least part of the aperture to facilitate stretching the aperture over the nipple. In some embodiments, the pacifier accessory comprises an adhesive for affixing the accessory to the shield. In some embodiments, the pacifier accessory comprises projections designed to correspond to pacifiers comprising through holes for affixing the accessory to the shield. In some embodiments, the pacifier accessory comprises hooks for affixing the accessory to the shield. In some embodiments, the pacifier accessory comprises a strap for holding the accessory to the shield.

In some embodiments, the pacifier accessory comprises air channels. In some embodiments, the pacifier accessory is adapted for one-time use. In some embodiments, the pacifier accessory is adapted for repeated use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention may be understood upon reading of the following detailed description of non-limiting exemplary embodiments thereof, with reference to the following drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a perspective front view of a typical pacifier,

Figs. 2A and 2B are perspective front and rear views, respectively, of a first embodiment of a pacifier accessory of the present invention; Fig. 3 is a perspective rear view of a second embodiment of the pacifier accessory of the present invention;

Fig. 4 is a perspective rear view of third embodiment of the pacifier accessory of the present invention; Fig. 5 is a perspective rear view of a fourth embodiment of the pacifier accessory of the present invention;

Fig. 6 is a perspective rear view of a fifth embodiment of the pacifier accessory of the present invention;

Fig. 7 is a perspective rear view of a sixth embodiment of the pacifier accessory of the present invention;

Fig. 8 is a perspective rear view of a seventh embodiment of the pacifier accessory of the present invention;

Fig. 9 is a perspective rear view of an eighth embodiment of the pacifier accessory of the present invention; Fig. 10 is a perspective rear view of a ninth embodiment of the pacifier accessory of the present invention; and

Fig. 11 a perspective rear view of a tenth embodiment of the pacifier accessory of the present invention; and

Fig. 12 a perspective rear view of an eleventh embodiment of the pacifier accessory of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Referring first to Fig. 1, there is shown a typical pacifier that is provided to infants (not shown). Such pacifiers generally comprise a shield or guard G, to prevent swallowing by the infant, the guard having a front side F that faces toward the infant when in use; a holding ring R to help hold it, which is especially useful during insertion and removal from the infant's mouth; and a nipple N typically protruding perpendicularly from the center of the guard. The pacifier also commonly has a pair of through-holes T and may have a plurality of protrusions or bumps B adjacent the periphery of the front side F of the guard G to help saliva drain from the guard that commonly drips from the infant's mouth when the pacifier is being used.

Referring now to Figs. 2A and 2B, there is shown an embodiment of a pacifier accessory 10 of the present invention, in the form of a pad or layer, for absorbing the saliva that infants commonly drool when sucking on a pacifier. The pacifier accessory 10 is made of a material designed to absorb the infant's saliva and is generally discshaped corresponding to the shape of typical pacifiers, as shown in Fig. 1. It should be understood however, that the pacifier accessory may be made in a variety of shapes and sizes. The pacifier accessory 10 comprises an aperture 12 corresponding in location and size to the nipple N; an outward facing surface 14 (seen in Fig. 2A) and an inward facing surface 16 (seen in Fig. 2B).

To place the pacifier accessory 10 on the pacifier, the nipple N is folded along its longitudinal dimension and the accessory (aperture 12) is slid over the nipple, with the accessory's inward facing surface 16 facing the front side F of the guard G, at which point the nipple is released and allowed to unfold. The pacifier accessory 10 is thereby held on the pacifier so it will not inadvertently fall off. Thus, it can be understood that in this embodiment, aperture 12 is smaller than the diameter of the nipple N, or at least smaller than the maximum diameter of the nipple. According to other embodiments, aperture 12 can be smaller than the minimum and/or maximum diameter of the nipple N (e.g. the accessory comprises an elastic portion surrounding it - discussed below); and in still other embodiments, the aperture can be larger than the maximum diameter of the nipple (e.g. the accessory comprises other or additional means to attach the accessory to the pacifier, such as an adhesive, projections, a strap, and so on - discussed below).

It is a particular feature of the pacifier accessory 10 that the absorbent material can contain cream (e.g. a soothing cream such as Aloe Vera and the like); and/or an over-the-counter additive or medication (e.g. an additive such as eucalyptus oil which aids breathing); and/or a medicine to medicate a rash, irritation, etc; for example, such rashes and irritations that are caused or worsened by the presence of saliva; although not limited to those.

Fig. 3 shows a pacifier accessory 10a, which is similar to the pacifier accessory 10, however, it comprises an aperture 12a which is somewhat smaller than the aperture 12; and it further comprises an elastic annular member 18 surrounding the aperture 12a. The smaller aperture 12a is preferably of a size whereby it is smaller than the widest/largest portion of the nipple N, which is typically at a location designated as W in Fig. 1.

The elastic annular member 18 is designed to stretch over the nipple N when the accessory 10a is placed on the pacifier. After stretching the elastic annular member 18, one slides it over the nipple N to hold the pacifier accessory 10 to the pacifier, as explained above.

It should be understood that the elastic annular member 18 need not completely surround the aperture 12a and it could regardless provide enough stretchiness to hold the accessory 10a to the pacifier.

Fig. 4 shows yet another embodiment of the invention wherein there is a pacifier accessory 10b comprising an adhesive strip or adhesive 20 for affixing it to the front side F of the pacifier's guard G. The adhesive 20 is located on the inward facing surface 16 and may comprise a removable backing strip (not shown) that is removed to expose the adhesive prior to affixing the accessory 10b to the pacifier.

It should be understood that the location of the adhesive 20 as shown in Fig. 4 is merely exemplary and that the actual location chosen may be based on a number of factors such as the adhesive strength required; the style of the pacifier (e.g. it may have no through-holes T or may have several - and they may be of various shapes); and so on. In this regard, according to particular embodiments (not shown), the adhesive strip 20 is a double-sided strip (not shown) that is supplied with the pacifier accessory whereby it can be placed in the desired area(s) and optionally cut to a desired shape prior to applying.

The adhesive 20 is preferably of the low-tack type so that on the one hand the accessory 10b is reasonably held to the pacifier; on the other hand, it is easily removed after use. According to another example, the adhesive strip or adhesive 20 may be constituted by a so-called "repositionable" tape.

Fig. 5 illustrates a pacifier accessory 10c in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention wherein the accessory comprises wings or flaps 22 which have an adhesive side (not visible) with an adhesive (not visible) similar to the adhesive 20. After placing the pacifier accessory 10c over the nipple N, the flaps 22 can be folded over the edge and onto the back side of the guard G to hold the accessory onto the pacifier. Appropriate design for such flaps is well known, for example, as used in feminine hygiene pads. In this regard, examples of appropriate absorbent materials for use in the present pacifier accessory may be made are also used in feminine hygiene pads, tampons and the like. The material may be multi-layered and designed to absorb the saliva into it and inboard from the outward facing surface 14, so that saliva does not remain adjacent to the infant's upper and lower lip area. Fig. 6 shows still another embodiment of the invention wherein there is a pacifier accessory 1Od comprising a pair of projections or nubs 24 disposed and sized corresponding to the through-holes T of the pacifier. The nubs 24 should be designed in terms of size and material such that they relatively easily can be snapped into the through-holes T and also easily removed. To provide sturdiness, the pacifier accessory 1Od (and any of the accessories of the present invention) may comprise a thin backing or plate 26 which typically, but not necessarily, corresponds in size to that of the pacifier accessory.

Fig. 7 illustrates a pacifier accessory 1Oe in accordance with a still further embodiment of the present invention wherein the accessory further comprises hooks or clips 28. The clips 28 are arranged so that they hook on to the pacifier at peripheral portions thereof.

Fig. 8 illustrates another embodiment of a pacifier accessory 1Of of the present invention wherein the accessory is connected to the guard G via hook and loop fasteners 30. The hook and loop fasteners 30 could be, for example, disposed on wings or flaps

22' (similar to the wings or flaps 22 presented in Fig. 5) and the corresponding hook or loop portion is disposed at a corresponding portion of the back side (not shown) of the guard G when the flaps are folded thereon. Alternatively, the hook and loop fasteners

30 could be arranged on the inward facing surface 16 of the pacifier accessory 1Of and on the front side F of the guard G.

Fig. 9 is a perspective rear view of yet another embodiment of the present invention wherein there is a pacifier accessory 1Og of a reduced area relative to the afore-described embodiments. In this embodiment, the accessory 1Og is shaped so that it is intended to interface with the lower two-thirds or so of the guard G whereby the infant has increased breathing space below its nose. In this regard, it is noted that according to particular embodiments, the pacifier accessory of the present invention can have an area that is smaller or larger than the guard G.

Fig. 10 shows another embodiment of a pacifier accessory 1Oh illustrating one of several possible modifications within the scope of the invention wherein the pacifier accessory 1Oh comprises at least one, and typically a plurality of air channels 32 which provide a surface for saliva collected therein to dry and may ease the infant's breathing.

These air channels 32 may be disposed at various locations at the inward surface 14 although preferably with an end thereof at the periphery of the accessory 1Oh and preferably at either or both the upper and lower portions of the accessory, as illustrated in Fig. 10.

Fig. 11 illustrates another embodiment of a pacifier accessory 1Oi of the present invention that may ease the infant's breathing. Here, the pacifier accessory 1Oi comprises a plurality of air holes 34 passing through the accessory 1Oi.

Fig. 12 shows another embodiment of a pacifier accessory 10j of the present invention wherein the accessory comprises an elastic member, for example, elastic strap 36, for reversibly attaching the accessory to the pacifier. The elastic strap 36 is typically attached to opposite edges of the accessory, for example a left edge and a right edge, as shown.

The pacifier accessory of the present invention is typically intended to be a disposable one-time use item that is removed after use and discarded. However, alternatively, the accessory may comprise a material suited for being rinsed, dried and re-used for some number of times. It should be understood that the above description is merely exemplary and that there are various embodiments of the present invention that may be devised, mutatis mutandis, and that the features described in the above-described embodiments, and those not described herein, may be used separately or in any suitable combination; and the invention can be devised in accordance with embodiments not necessarily described above.

Claims

1. A pacifier accessory for use with a pacifier, said pacifier comprising a shield and a nipple, said accessory comprising an absorbent pad with an inward facing surface, an outward facing surface and an aperture corresponding to the nipple whereby the inwardly facing surface interfaces with the shield and the outwardly facing surface interfaces with a user when the pacifier is in use.

2. A pacifier accessory according to claim 1, wherein the aperture is smaller than the maximum diameter of the nipple.

3. A pacifier accessory according to claim 1, wherein the aperture is smaller than the minimum diameter of the nipple.

4. A pacifier accessory according to claim 1, wherein the aperture is larger than the maximum diameter of the nipple.

5. A pacifier accessory according to claim 1, wherein the pad comprises a medication.

6. A pacifier accessory according to claim 1, wherein the aperture further comprising an elastic annular

7. A pacifier accessory according to claim 1, further comprising an elastic annular portion surrounding at least part of the aperture to facilitate stretching the aperture over the nipple.

8. A pacifier accessory according to claim 1, further comprising an adhesive for affixing the accessory to the shield.

9. A pacifier accessory according to claim 1, wherein the pacifier comprises through holes and the accessory further comprises projections corresponding to said through holes affixing the accessory to the shield.

10. A pacifier accessory according to claim 1, further comprising hooks for affixing the accessory to the shield.

11. A pacifier accessory according to claim 1, further comprising a strap for holding the accessory to the shield.

12. A pacifier accessory according to claim 1, further comprising air channels.

13. A pacifier accessory according to claim 1, wherein it is adapted for one-time use.

14. A pacifier accessory according to claim 1, wherein it is adapted for repeated use.