Evolutionary pacifier

Abstract

The invention relates to an evolutionary teat comprising: - a teat (1) intended to be sucked by a child; - a handle (2); - at least one base flange (3) having a base thickness (EB), said teat (1) extending on one side of said base flange (3) to have a sucking length (L) and said handle (2) extending on the other side of said base flange (3); - a reduction system for reducing the sucking length (L), said reduction system comprising at least one first adjustment flange (4) having a passage for said teat (1) to pass through so that said first adjustment flange (4) surrounds said teat (1), and first joining means for joining said first adjustment flange (4) to said base flange (3) so that said first adjustment flange (4) is located on the side of said teat (1) facing said base flange (3), said first adjustment flange having a first adjustment thickness (EJ) at least equal to said base thickness (EB).

Description

[0001] This invention relates to the field of design and manufacture of childcare equipment.

[0002] More specifically, the present invention relates to an evolutionary pacifier, that is, a pacifier designed to reduce the length of the mouthpiece sucked by a child so that the child gradually stops using the pacifier.

[0003] In the field of this invention, it has been observed that a physiological sucking reflex exists in a fetus before birth, i.e., while in the uterus.

[0004] In fact, this sucking reflex is crucial for the development of infants who have an innate need to suck and subsequently suck, regardless of feeding. Indeed, sucking can soothe a child in addition to feeding and any feeling of hunger.

[0005] In other words, in addition to the correlation between nutrition and sucking, the latter also provides comfort. Therefore, there is a distinction between nutritional sucking aimed at satisfying an infant's hunger and non-nutritive sucking exerted by an infant on their thumb, pacifier, cute toys, etc.

[0006] However, while sucking has advantages for an infant's health by soothing them, it also has disadvantages, especially from a dental perspective, particularly when the sucking reflex in young children is prolonged.

[0007] This disadvantage is often more pronounced during teething because the teeth chew on something in response to the child's strong sucking needs. However, even in this case, sucking is necessary and a strong source of satisfaction for the child.

[0008] Observations from industry professionals suggest that, in the long run, sucking thumbs, using pacifiers, or prolonged bottle use does not synergize well with healthy dental development.

[0009] Furthermore, an increase in pacifier use has been observed over the years. However, sucking on a pacifier is just as harmful as sucking on your thumb. In fact, the pacifier is inserted between the upper and lower teeth and may therefore hinder the proper development of the incisors.

[0010] However, for the following three reasons, the harm caused by a pacifier is still less than that caused by a thumb: Because the nipple is flexible and relatively short, it causes less deformation of the palate.

[0011] - Pacifiers can be easily set aside or thrown away, while thumbs cannot (they are always available).

[0012] -Although pacifiers are often left lying around, they are generally cleaner than hands.

[0013] The recommended age for children to break their sucking habit is around 2-3 years old. At this age, children develop their own interests and areas of exploration. This is also the age when children start walking, talking, interacting with other children, and, depending on circumstances, attending school.

[0014] Thumb sucking can be allowed up to 4 or 5 years old, but if it's past that age, it's recommended to start discussing it with the child. In particular, you can explain to him that, in addition to the potential impact on his teeth, the thumb or pacifier obstructs a means of communication (you can't talk while your mouth is full).

[0015] Therefore, the conclusion is as follows: if a pacifier is necessary for a child's first few months or even the first two years, it will become an obstacle to tongue (low tongue) positioning, and thus an obstacle to the widening of the palate and the normal growth of the oral cavity and tooth positioning.

[0016] In an attempt to address this situation, several solutions have been proposed in the existing technology.

[0017] In particular, two solutions are known from the patent document with publication number US2002065537.

[0018] According to the first solution proposed in this document, the nipple includes a handle carried by a flange, from which the nipple extends, and several nipples of different lengths are proposed for successive replacement, each updated nipple being shorter than the replaced nipple. Thus, the nipple is removably mounted on the flange, allowing the first nipple to be removed from the flange and replaced by another nipple shorter than the previous one.

[0019] The first drawback of this system is that it requires the manufacture of multiple nipples of different lengths, which proves to be expensive in terms of manufacturing and thus tends to increase the purchase price.

[0020] Another drawback is that the mouthpiece is removably installed, which poses a significant potential risk that when one of the mouthpieces is in a child's mouth, it may accidentally detach from the flange, and the child may then swallow the mouthpiece and choke.

[0021] According to the second solution proposed in the aforementioned document, the mouthpiece is connected to the handle via an internal traction member. Rotation of the handle will screw the traction member into the handle, causing the mouthpiece to gradually retract toward the flange, thus reducing its length.

[0022] This solution involves the manufacturing and assembly of different components, which again leads to an increase in the purchase price of the equipment.

[0023] Patent document GB2259019 is also known, which describes a nipple having a mouthpiece for sucking, and the nipple includes a flange that can be fully positioned on the mouthpiece to perform cleaning, during which the child cannot use the nipple to suck.

[0024] It is also known that patent document with publication number EP1275366 describes a nipple having a mouthpiece for sucking, and the nipple includes a pad designed to reproduce the sensation provided by the nipple of the breast.

[0025] This invention is specifically designed to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art.

[0026] More specifically, the present invention aims to provide an evolved pacifier that is easy to use and poses no risk to children in terms of swallowing small objects.

[0027] The present invention also aims to provide an evolutionary nipple that is simple in design and inexpensive to manufacture.

[0028] These objectives, and other objectives that will subsequently arise, are achieved by the present invention, which relates to an evolutionary pacifier comprising: - The mouthpiece is designed for children to suck on; -handle; - At least one base flange having a base thickness, the mouthpiece extending on one side of the base flange to have a sucking length, and the handle extending on the other side of the base flange; - A reduction system used to decrease the suction length. The reduction system is characterized in that it includes at least one first adjusting flange having a channel through which the mouthpiece passes so that the first adjusting flange surrounds the mouthpiece, and the reduction system includes a first engaging means for engaging the first adjusting flange to the base flange such that the first adjusting flange is located on the side of the mouthpiece facing the base flange, the first adjusting flange having a first adjusting thickness at least equal to the thickness of the base flange. The reduction system includes at least one second adjustment flange having a channel through which the mouthpiece passes so that the second adjustment flange surrounds the mouthpiece, and the reduction system includes a second engagement means for fastening the second adjustment flange to a first adjustment flange such that the second adjustment flange is located on the side of the mouthpiece facing the first adjustment flange, the second adjustment flange having a second adjustment thickness at least equal to the base thickness.

[0029] In this way, by engaging the second adjusting flange with the first adjusting flange, the length of the mouthpiece used for sucking is progressively reduced, thereby creating additional thickness on the first adjusting flange and thus reducing the protrusion of the mouthpiece used for sucking.

[0030] Therefore, the principle used to adjust the nipple is very simple, involving sliding the second adjusting flange around the mouthpiece until the second adjusting flange is pressed against the first adjusting flange and the second adjusting flange is engaged with the first adjusting flange.

[0031] It should be noted that the risk of swallowing small objects using the evolved pacifier according to the invention is non-existent or virtually non-existent. In fact, the flange is part of the pacifier that remains outside the child's mouth. It is designed to rest against the child's lips and typically has an opening larger than the child's mouth to prevent swallowing.

[0032] Furthermore, the evolution nipple according to the invention is particularly simple in design, and as will become clear later, is simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

[0033] Furthermore, the implementation of the second adjusting flange allows for a further reduction in the protrusion of the mouthpiece used for sucking.

[0034] Of course, the thickness of each adjusting flange is gradually reduced, which may also require changing the number of adjusting flanges (as will be discussed later).

[0035] Furthermore, this feature shows that the second adjusting flange has the same operating mode as the first adjusting flange regarding the flange that slides around the mouthpiece and engages with it.

[0036] According to an advantageous solution, the first coupling device is integrated into the first adjusting flange and / or the base flange.

[0037] In this way, in other words, the first adjusting flange or the base flange has no additional parts to allow the two flanges to be secured together. This avoids the need to add one or more parts to achieve the assembly.

[0038] According to the preferred solution, the first coupling device includes a snap-fit ​​device integrated into the first adjusting flange.

[0039] This design allows for simpler and faster assembly of the two flanges by ensuring effective mechanical strength.

[0040] Preferably, the first and second snap-fit ​​devices are designed to be fitted together in a non-detachable manner.

[0041] It should be understood that in this way, it is impossible to detach the first adjusting flange from the base flange, which eliminates any risk of a child swallowing the first adjusting flange.

[0042] According to the advantageous solution, the first adjusting flange has a profile that matches the profile of the base flange.

[0043] In this way, the edge of the first adjusting flange is flush with the edge of the base flange and extends continuously from one another. This avoids the edge of one or the other of the two flanges forming a shoulder, which could be unpleasant for a child, or could constitute a support or gripping area for attempting to separate the two flanges.

[0044] According to the favorable solution, the first adjusting flange and the second adjusting flange are identical.

[0045] Therefore, manufacturing cost savings are achieved, to the point that all adjusting flanges are identical and can therefore be mass-produced.

[0046] According to a particular embodiment, the nipple includes a set of five identical adjustment flanges, the set of five identical adjustment flanges being composed of an identical first adjustment flange and a second adjustment flange.

[0047] Of course, as mentioned earlier, the number of these adjustment flanges can be varied as much as needed, especially according to the desired gradual change, which may result in variations in the thickness of the adjustment flanges.

[0048] Preferably, the first adjusting flange and the second adjusting flange are perforated.

[0049] This allows saliva and air to circulate between the flanges, thus allowing drying between the base flange and the regulating flange.

[0050] Other features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent when reading the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention, given by way of simple illustrative and non-limiting examples, and in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: - Figure 1 A side view of the evolved pacifier according to the present invention is shown schematically; - Figure 2 An adjusting flange for an evolution nipple according to the invention is schematically shown; - Figure 3 A side view of an evolution nipple with a first adjustment flange is schematically shown; - Figure 4 An evolved nipple with adjustable flanges having different stacking degrees is schematically shown according to the present invention.

[0051] like Figure 1 As shown, the evolved pacifier according to the present invention typically includes: - A mouthpiece designed for children to suck on, typically made of silicone; - Handle 2; - Base flange 3, mouthpiece 1 extends on one side of base flange 3, mouthpiece 1 has a sucking length L from base flange 3 to the free end of mouthpiece, handle 2 extends on the other side of base flange relative to mouthpiece 1.

[0052] The base flange has a thickness called the base thickness EB (if its thickness is not constant, it can be the average thickness of the perimeter), and the base thickness EB is, for example, in the range of 1 mm to 2 mm.

[0053] According to the principles of the present invention, the nipple includes Figure 2 At least one first adjusting flange 4 is shown. For example... Figure 2 As shown, the first adjusting flange has a central channel 40 that allows the nipple 1 to pass through the channel, such that once the first adjusting flange is installed on the nipple, the first adjusting flange surrounds the nipple 1.

[0054] In addition, the first adjustment flange has a thickness called adjustment thickness EJ (which may be the average thickness of the periphery if its thickness is not constant), and the thickness of thickness EJ is greater than or equal to the thickness of base thickness EB.

[0055] Furthermore, the nipple includes a first engagement device for engaging the first adjusting flange 4 to the base flange 3, such as... Figure 3 As shown, the first coupling device is configured such that the first adjusting flange 4 is located on the side of the mouthpiece 1 facing the base flange.

[0056] According to this design of the evolved nipple of the present invention, the first adjusting flange 4 is mounted on the nipple by passing the mouthpiece through the channel 40 until it abuts the first adjusting flange 4 against the base flange 2.

[0057] It should be understood that, in this way, the first adjusting flange forms a reducing system for reducing the suction length L, because the length of the portion of the mouthpiece 1 protruding from the base flange is reduced due to the thickness of the first adjusting flange. In other words, the length of the mouthpiece protruding from the first adjusting flange is equal to L - EJ.

[0058] According to this embodiment of the present invention, the first connecting device for connecting the first adjusting flange 4 and the base flange 3 is directly integrated into the first adjusting flange and / or the base flange, and preferably only integrated into the first adjusting flange.

[0059] For this purpose, the first adjusting flange has a pair of hooks 41 on one of its faces, the pair of hooks 41 facing each other and positioned on either side of the adjusting flange. These hooks are elastically deformable and are designed and manufactured to allow assembly by snapping the base flange onto the first adjusting flange. Thus, the hooks 41 of the first adjusting flange constitute a snap-fit ​​device.

[0060] Preferably, the hook forming the first snap-fit ​​device is designed to retain the base flange in a non-removable manner.

[0061] In addition, such as Figure 4 As shown, the first adjusting flange 4 has a profile that matches the profile of the base flange 3. More specifically, the first adjusting flange 4 has the same shape and size as the base flange 3.

[0062] like Figure 4 As shown, the evolved nipple according to the invention includes at least one second adjusting flange 5, which, like the first adjusting flange 4, has a channel for the mouthpiece 1 to surround the mouthpiece. A fastening device allows the second adjusting flange to be fastened to the first adjusting flange so that the second adjusting flange 5 is located on the side of the mouthpiece 1 facing the first adjusting flange 4. For this purpose, the second adjusting flange has a pair of hooks 41 identical to the hooks of the first adjusting flange.

[0063] For the purpose of simplifying manufacturing, the first adjusting flange and the second adjusting flange are identical. like Figure 4 As shown, in order to ensure greater progress in reducing the sucking length L, the nipple includes a set of five identical adjustment flanges that are designed to stack on top of each other and secure each other.

[0064] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the first adjusting flange 4 and the second adjusting flange 5 are perforated and have multiple openings 42.

[0065] The base flange 3 can also be perforated, having multiple holes 30. The multiple holes 30 of the base flange 3 are not necessarily placed in correspondence with the holes of the adjusting flange.

Claims

1. An evolved pacifier, comprising: - Mouthpiece (1), designed for children to suck; - Handle (2); - At least one base flange (3) having a base thickness (EB), the mouthpiece (1) extending on one side of the base flange (3) to have a sucking length (L), and the handle (2) extending on the other side of the base flange (3); - A reduction system for reducing the sucking length (L), The reduction system is characterized by comprising at least one first adjustment flange (4) having a channel through which the mouthpiece (1) passes so that the first adjustment flange (4) surrounds the mouthpiece (1), and the reduction system comprising a first engagement means for engaging the first adjustment flange (4) to the base flange (3) such that the first adjustment flange (4) is located on the side of the mouthpiece (1) facing the base flange (3), the first adjustment flange having a first adjustment thickness (EJ) at least equal to the base thickness (EB). The reduction system includes at least one second adjustment flange (5) having a channel through which the mouthpiece (1) passes so that the second adjustment flange (5) surrounds the mouthpiece (1), and the reduction system includes a second engagement device for fastening the second adjustment flange (5) to the first adjustment flange (4) so ​​that the second adjustment flange (5) is located on the side of the mouthpiece (1) facing the first adjustment flange (4), and the second adjustment flange (5) has a second adjustment thickness at least equal to the base thickness.

2. The evolved pacifier according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first connecting device is integrated into the first adjusting flange (4) and / or integrated into the base flange (3).

3. The evolved pacifier according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first connecting device includes a snap-fit ​​device integrated into the first adjusting flange (4).

4. The evolved pacifier according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The first adjusting flange (4) has a profile that matches the profile of the base flange (3).

5. The evolved pacifier according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first adjusting flange (4) and the second adjusting flange (5) are the same.

6. The evolved pacifier according to claim 1, characterized in that, The evolved nipple includes a set of five identical adjustment flanges (4, 5), which are composed of an identical first adjustment flange (4) and a second adjustment flange (5).

7. The evolved pacifier according to claim 6, characterized in that, The first adjusting flange (4) and the second adjusting flange (5) are perforated.

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