Patent Application
20080046011
The vented pacifier relates generally to infant care accessories. More specifically, the present invention refers to a hollow pacifier with an internal rib that prevents collapse of the pacifier walls as the pacifier is placed and used in the intraoral cavity and that prevents a vacuum from forming within an infant.
A unique aspect of the present invention is an integral rib within a tubular shaped aperture within the nipple of the pacifier. The aperture starts at the tip and proceeds through the nipple that allows an infant to breath through the pacifier without collapsing the nipple. The configuration of the nipple is such that collapse of the internal aperture is prevented. The shape of the pacifier emulates the shape of the human nipple during breast feeding. The nipple is oval and proximately arch shaped in a superior direction that follows the roofline of an infant's mouth. The present invention emulates the normal human breast and nipple shapes an infant encounters during breast feeding.
Babies, or infants, are also inclined to cry as a way of notifying parents of their needs. At times, the cry of an infant is inappropriate and inconvenient. Parents seek ways to pacify their infants and restore some tranquility to a home or other environment. Also, infants have the instinct to suckle milk from their mothers. Following the suckling instinct, infants will suckle almost anything placed into their mouths particularly items having a nipple shape. When suckling, an infant has a difficult time crying. Pacifiers having a fake nipple are accepted by infants and satisfy the infant, for a time. Also, pacifier use is associated with a significant decrease in sudden infant death syndrome.
Pacifiers generally have three parts: a nipple upon which the infant suckles, a base upon which the nipple attaches, and a tab, or ring, extending from the base that the caregiver can grasp. Many pacifiers through the years have had solid nipples.
A pacifier of any design, whether it be the hollow type, that may have air pressure provided within its interior, because it has apertures, or even the solid nipple, induces the infant to suckle. When an infant undertakes that type of activity, it obviously creates a vacuum in the mouth due to the constant sucking pressure. In addition, since the mouth cavity is accessible to the nasal cavity, and the ear passages, the vacuum may also generate further problems therein. For example, in the various adjacent intra-oral passages, it has been found through medical study and tests that infections may be generated within the ear canals, when a constant sucking force is applied by the infant, which actually can lead to permanent damage in hearing, as well as ear fluid accumulation, motor skills delay, speech delay, cognitive delay, and other maladies, as a result of the development of this negative pressure. Hence, providing a vented pacifier eliminates the development of any vacuum, at the region of the pacifier, within the mouth, and any of the other passages or canals leading therefrom. It also minimizes ear fluid, speech and motor delays, developmental delays, and other maladies which can occur from fluid in the ear. Hence, medical complications may be alleviated, through the usage of a vented pacifier, the type of this design.
A solid nipple induces an infant to suckle. In suckling, though, an infant creates a vacuum in its mouth and adjacent intra-oral passages. A vacuum within the infant's mouth leads to crying in time, and possibly complications.
Many attempts have been made to provide a pacifier that relieves any vacuums induced during suckling. An early patent to Meinecke, U.S. Pat. No. 652,034, is upon a nipple holder, circa 1900. The '034 patent shows a nipple that appears to be hollow, and then mounts upon a nut that has threadily engaged therein a handle, that incorporates a T-vent. This nipple holder, has a venting structure, but the nipple does not define that its head has any type of an opening therethrough. Nevertheless, a vented type of nipple holder is disclosed that shows a threaded engagement between the handle, and the nut that holds the nipple in place.
The patent to Schmidt, et al, U.S. Pat. No. 1,518,823, shows a combination nipple and pacifier, and the nipple shows an aperture, for allowing fluids to be emptied from the accompanying nursing-bottle. Because, when the nipple is applied or threadily engaged into the pacifier, particularly the blind bore, it has no ability to vent. Hence, this pacifier was not designed for venting.
The patent to Mueller, U.S. Pat. No. 2,824,561, shows a combination infant pacifier and feeding device. This particular pacifier has a vented style. It describes that the longitudinal bore, in combination with the plastic tube, does equalize air pressure in the pacifier body, and this device is more involved with the filling of the pacifier body, such as with syrup, honey, medicines, or the like, and then closed with a stopper. The patent description mentions little about the tube and the bore for venting purposes. Yet, the device will inherently function that way, since it describes these features for purposes of equalizing air pressure in the pacifier body, during usage. This device may collapse when in use.
The patent to Clegg, U.S. Pat. No. 3,426,755, shows a pacifier, used as a medicine feeder. Hence, once again, when all the feeding instrumentation is removed, this device would act as a vented pacifier. But, the patent does not describe venting if the device is used as a pacifier. This device also may collapse during usage.
The patent to Davidson, U.S. Pat. No. 3,610,248, shows a gum exercise device. This is not just a pacifier, but has the cavity therein, where the hollow membrane, has a series of apertures therein, and with the membrane being filled with a hydrophilic plastic material. It does describe that the closure member can be removed, and medication may be located within the cavity, and then re-closed with the closure means, to allow for the delivery of medicines, or the like, to a child. This device also may collapse during usage.
The patent to Lerner, U.S. Pat. No. 4,132,232, shows an integrally molded pacifier for infants. But, it does contain a variety of apertures, so that if the pacifier is inadvertently swallowed, the infant will still be able to breathe through these various apertures. This device also may collapse during usage.
The patent to Hinkle, U.S. Pat. No. 4,896,666, shows a face mask assembly and pacifier that tightly contacts the face of the wearer, and is more useful than being used for nipple purposes, such as during preoperative procedures, when anesthetics are applied. While the pacifier does have at least one aperture therein, this particular aperture functions as a passageway to allow medical gas therethrough, when applying medicines or anesthetics to the patient, or infant patient. This device also may collapse during usage.
The patent to Clayton, U.S. Pat. No. 6,197,044, shows a feeding system and apparatus for infants. While the claim of this device defines an improved pacifier, having the usual nipple and mouth guard, the nipple incorporates an inner lumen that is configured to removably receive a tubular member which provides a passageway for oral fluids to enter into the infant. This device also may collapse during usage.
The patent to Ashton, U.S. Pat. No. 6,454,788, discloses a method and apparatus for oral hydration and medication administration using a pacifier. This apparatus includes a nipple and shield, but incorporates a refillable reservoir, apparently for medication administration. It does incorporate a number of fluid-flowing physiologic gutters for forwarding medication and medical fluids adjacent to the tongue of the user to avoid stimulating the gag reflex. This particular device further includes an access assembly that is removably attached to a flange, and a detachable reservoir for holding liquids that are adapted for connection to the neck of the device, for delivering and administering liquids through the nipple to an infant or young child. This device also may collapse during usage.
The patent to Pechenik, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,588,613, shows an infant-feeding nipple, not just a pacifier per se. This device defines a nipple for use with an infant bottle unlike the present invention and that delivers water-based fluids to the child through the nipple. This device also may collapse during usage.
The patent to Williams, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,776,157, is upon a medical pacifier and method for use thereof for the induction of anesthesia and other gases to an infant. This device may collapse as well during usage.
The published application to Silver, No. US 2004/0124168, is upon an artificial nipple of integrated structure, for feeding purposes, and apparently has a snap engagement onto a container. The engagement is achieved through its arrangement of grooves and lips. This invention from Silver does not serve as an improved feeding nipple and when it is radially compressed, it does not allow the passage of any fluid therethrough.
Finally, the published application to Avital, No. US2003/0083696 is a standard pacifier, but the back end of its tube section is completely opened for full access to the atmosphere. This device also may collapse during usage.
In the preceding work of these applicants, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,779,071 and 5,570,796, venting and internal tubes prevent the formation of partial vacuums during suckling and resist spills. The preceding work allows an infant to use a bottle as intended but without generating a vacuum inside the bottle. In the medical literature, vacuums in the mouth and adjacent passages of an infant lead to ear aches and other predicaments. As infants use pacifiers to sooth themselves, pacifiers can induce vacuums and resulting adverse effects upon infants. Preventing vacuums induced by infants suckling provides health benefits to the infant.
The current invention, on the other hand, provides means for venting of a pacifier allowing an infant to breath through the pacifier. The infant need not stretch its mouth or eject the pacifier to breathe. The infant can orient the present invention in any direction and still breathe. The infant does so by grasping recesses for the teeth and the gums upon the nipple of the invention with the inferior offset closer to the distal end of the pacifier. The shape of the nipple deviates superiorly moving distally and has an oval shape to emulate the shape of the breast and the nipple during breast-feeding.
The present art overcomes the limitations of the prior art where a need exists for eliminating vacuum within infants using pacifiers. That is, the art of the present invention, a vented pacifier allows air to pass in and out of a hollow pacifier with a rib running lengthwise through the pacifier, preventing collapse. This eliminates the formation of a vacuum within the mouth and adjacent passages of an infant. The aperture of the present invention permits the passage of air for breathing and allows drainage of incidental saliva from the aperture. The present invention provides for easy cleaning, endures inadvertent chewing, and allows an infant to breathe without removing the pacifier. The pacifier, uniquely withstands compressive forces by the infant's jaws which keeps the venting mechanism of the invention functioning at all times. And the infant is encouraged to suckle upon the present invention as the shape of the pacifier emulates the human breast and nipple during breast-feeding between mother and child.
Accordingly, the present invention improves a pacifier by forming a rib within the hollow nipple. This pacifier has a nipple perpendicular to and centered upon a guard. The guard extends beyond the closed lips of a typical infant. The invention has offsets for the teeth and gums of an infant with the inferior offset closer to the distal end of the pacifier. Opposite the nipple, the guard has a tab, or ring, or other means for grasping the pacifier. The major aperture extends from the tip of the nipple towards and then through the guard. A rib is provided, extending the entire length of the pacifier which ensures that the pacifier venting aperture is always open. The major aperture allows the passage of air into and out of the pacifier. However, infants salivate especially when suckling on a pacifier. A vertical aperture intersects the horizontal aperture ahead of the guard. The vertical aperture permits drainage of saliva that enters the horizontal aperture back into the mouth of an infant. The pacifier deviates superiorly at the guard end and then slightly inferiorly at the opposite end, thus emulating the human breast anatomy during suckling. The pacifier also has an oval shaped nipple.
The present invention allows for instant and complete movement of air through the pacifier thus allowing the pacifier to remain in place as the infant breathes normally. An infant using the present invention does not create pressure in the mouth or intra-oral cavity. Using the present invention, an ambient or positive pressure arises in the intra-oral cavity that simulates the sensation of breast feeding, a soothing activity for infants. Without creating negative pressure in the intra-oral cavity, pressure remains ambient in the middle ear. Negative pressure, unlike ambient pressure, causes middle ear infections especially shown in non-vented pacifiers. Fluid accumulation in the ear leads to ear infections, as well as developmental, motor, and speech delays in infants still using non-vented pacifiers. Also while using the invention, an infant does not create a negative pressure in the intraoral cavity, air taken in around a pacifier is minimized and also air ingestion is minimized. In non-vented pacifiers, the infant creates a negative pressure in the intra-oral cavity which generates a pressure gradient that induces an infant to swallow and ingest air. Ingested air often leads to colic, fussiness, reflux, gas, and other gastrointestinal disorders.
In time, infants begin to outgrow their pacifiers and they must be weaned of the devices. The present invention allows normal breathing by an infant so an infant can alternate readily between a vented pacifier and unassisted breathing. With confidence in breathing, an infant can easily minimize and eventually discontinue use of the vented pacifier. Transitioning easily away from a vented pacifier, an older infant is less likely to place objects in the mouth which promotes healthy formation and alignment of teeth as they grow in. Further, an easy transition from the vented pacifier encourages regular feedings in contrast to snacking which promotes tooth decay.
In the preferred embodiment, the hollow pacifier with a vertical aperture oriented inferiorly or completely through the horizontal aperture is manufactured into the nipple of the invention.
Therefore, it is an object of the invention to provide a new and improved vented pacifier for use by infants.
It is a further object of the present invention to vent continuously and automatically through the invention.
It is a still further object of the present invention to remove promptly any saliva or other liquids that accumulate in the invention.
It is a still further object of the present invention to prevent abnormal suckling by an infant.
It is a still further object of the present invention to prevent abnormal, frequent, and significantly negative pressure non-nutritive suckling by an infant.
It is a still further object of the present invention to prevent disordered, abnormally timed, and irregularly patterned breathing, suckling, or swallowing by an infant.
It is a still further object of the present invention to prevent negative pressure in the middle ear.
It is a still further object of the present invention to prevent formation of fluid in the ear and attending complications.
It is an even still further object of this invention is to prevent rapid air ingestion around the pacifier and its attending complications.
It is a still further object of the present invention to provide for ease of cleaning.
It is a still further object of the present invention to minimize fussiness, air ingestion, reflux, and colic of infants when using the present invention.
It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a location for teeth or gums in an offset position.
Lastly, it is another object of this invention is to prevent leakage of saliva through or around the present invention.
These and other objects may become more apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the invention as described herein, and upon undertaking a study of the description of its preferred embodiment, when viewed in conjunction with the drawings.
In referring to the drawings,
a is a rear view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention where the opening is partially closed;
The same reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the various figures.
The present invention overcomes the prior art limitations by providing a vented pacifier that provides a non-collapsible aperture to permit continuous and automatic venting as an infant breathes while suckling on the present invention. In referring to the drawings, and in particular
Through the center lengthwise, the nipple has a horizontal aperture 6. The horizontal aperture extends from the guard, through the neck, and opens 7 at the opposite end of the nipple. The opening 7 is at the surface of the nipple and may have any diameter, or alternatively may be a slit, series of slits, or other shaped opening. The horizontal aperture has sufficient diameter to aid an infant in breathing. The horizontal aperture cooperates with an opening 3 extending through the guard so that an infant may suckle upon the nipple and breathe through the nipple simultaneously.
The entire length of the horizontal aperture 6 has a rib 6a which prevents closure of the aperture. Approximately one third of the distance from the distal end, the pacifier has a vertical aperture 8 that intersects and is perpendicular to the horizontal aperture. The vertical aperture communicates with the horizontal aperture and drains any saliva or other liquids that enter the horizontal aperture. The vertical aperture 8 is spaced outward from the guard. This spacing clears the lips of an infant suckling upon the nipple and allows drainage of fluids back to the inside of the infant's mouth. The tab is located at the edge of the guard, generally away from the center and on the periphery of the guard.
Rotating the vented pacifier,
From time to time, a caregiver may seek to adjust the flow of air through the opening.
But the user of the invention would view it as shown in
Turning the pacifier,
From the aforementioned description, a vented pacifier has been described. This vented pacifier is uniquely capable of draining fluids, such as saliva, from a breathing aperture within a nipple without impeding air flow through the nipple. This vented pacifier also supports continuous and automatic venting of the oral cavity of an infant during breathing. The vented pacifier prevents collapse of the vent tube and permits introduction of liquids, foods, and medicines through the vent tube and into the oral cavity of an infant during breathing. This vented pacifier and its various components may be manufactured from many materials including but not limited to polymers, low density polyethylene, high density polyethylene, polypropylene, nylon, silicone, ferrous and non-ferrous metals, their alloys, and composites.
Variations or modifications to the subject matter of this invention may occur to those skilled in the art upon reviewing the development as described herein. Such variations, if within the scope of this development, are intended to be encompassed within the principles of this invention, as explained herein. The description of the preferred embodiment, in addition to the depiction within the drawings, are set forth for illustrative purposes only.
This non-provisional patent application claims priority to the provisional patent application having Ser. No. 60/834,504, which was filed on Jul. 31, 2006.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60834504 | Jul 2006 | US |
