An injection molded tpe (thermoplastic elastomer) nipple or pacifier at shore 30 a to shore 40 a

Abstract

Disclosed is an injection molded TPE (thermoplastic elastomer) nipple (2, 13) or pacifier (1) with a nipple (2, 13) based on styrenic block copolymer, with a shore hardness A between 30 to 40. The nipple (2, 13) or pacifier (1) with the nipple (2, 13) comprises either a nipple tip material (14) and a nipple rim lock material (15) at the foot of the nipple (2, 13), meant to fit into a shield (3) and be locked into place by a grip (4) and lock (17) over a hole (16) on the back of the nipple (2, 13); or a nipple (2, 13) made with a shield (3) at the end of the nipple (2, 13) and with a rim grip (5) on the back (7) of the shield (3) made in one-piece of TPE. The TPE vary in thickness, with the nipple material part (2, 13) as the thinnest material part in a range from 0,5 mm to 1,5 mm, and the shield (3) and grip (4) are thicker than the nipple material (14). The TPE nipple or pacifier is an alternative to known nature rubber and silicone nipples or pacifiers. TPE material is not vulcanized, and is thus without harmful materials like nitrosamines and formaldehyde. The pacifier can be reused. The nipple / pacifier has a perfect combination of tear strength and tensile strength and provides bite resistance at a hardness shore 40 A. A TPE blend with a hardness shore 37.5 A passed the tests, towards tearing and biting. The nipple / pacifier has a reduced weight since TPS (thermoplastic elastomers based on Styrenic-block-copolymers) is lighter.