Pacifier holder

Abstract

The pacifier holder includes a band (2) or string having a first end (3) provided with a pacifier connector (4) adapted for connection with a pacifier (5) and a second end (6) adapted for connection with a garment or a comfort object. The pacifier connector includes an attachment part (8) attached to the band or string and an elastic loop element (9) having a peripheral wall (10) forming a closed loop (11) surrounding a central through-going hole (12). The attachment part (8) forms two opposed layers (14, 15) between which the first end (3) of the band (2) or string is sandwiched and fixed to the attachment part (8), and a single piece (13) forming the attachment part (8) and the elastic loop element (9) is made of an elastic material having a Shore A between 50 and 80.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a pacifier holder including a band or string having a first end provided with a pacifier connector adapted for connection with a pacifier and a second end adapted for connection with or being connected with a garment or a comfort object in the form of a security blanket, a stuffed toy or the like, the pacifier connector including an attachment part attached to the band or string and an elastic loop element having a peripheral wall forming a closed loop surrounding a central through-going hole of the elastic loop element, and the attachment part and the elastic loop element being formed as one single piece.

[0002] EP 2 309 891 B1 discloses a device for fastening of a pacifier to the clothing of a child. The device comprises a flexible band having a first end with a clip for fastening to the clothing of the child and a second end with a buckle for fastening to the pacifier. The buckle has a disk-like part with two parallel slits through which the band is fed, and it is provided with an elastic fastening ring which may be forced over a stud of the pacifier. The disk-like part and the elastic fastening ring may be designed as one piece and may be made of plastic or silicone. However, the connection between the band and the pacifier by means of a buckle may be cumbersome during production and may be considered aesthetically less pleasing.

[0003] The object of the present invention is to provide a pacifier holder incorporating a more straightforward way of fastening the pacifier to the band or string of the pacifier holder.

[0004] In view of this object, the attachment part forms two opposed layers between which the first end of the band or string is sandwiched and fixed to the attachment part, and the single piece forming the attachment part and the elastic loop element is made of an elastic material having a Shore A between 50 and 80.

[0005] In this way, by forming the attachment part with two layers attached to either side of the band or string and restricting the Shore A of the material of the single piece forming the attachment part and the elastic loop element to a value between 50 and 80, a strong attachment between the two layers and the first end of the band or string may be obtained by means of adherence or penetration of the material, such as for instance by means of rivets or screws or by means of sewing, without any risk of delamination or rupture of the elastic material of said single piece. At the same time, by restricting the Shore A of said material as described above, the elasticity of the closed loop of the elastic loop element may be sufficient for pulling the closed loop over an end knob of a pacifier in order to attach the pacifier to the pacifier holder. On the other hand, by this restriction of the Shore A of said material, breakage of the elastic loop element as a result of the material becoming too brittle may furthermore be avoided. Even further, by said restriction of the Shore A of said material, it may be avoided that the total length from one end to the other of the pacifier holder becomes too large when loading the pacifier holder with a test weight.

[0006] In an embodiment, the single piece forming the attachment part and the elastic loop element is made of an elastic material having a Shore A between 54 and 79, preferably between 58 and 78, and most preferred between 62 and 77. Thereby, an even stronger attachment between the two layers and the first end of the band or string may be obtained.

[0007] In a structurally particularly advantageous embodiment, the two opposed layers of the attachment part are at least substantially flat and at least substantially parallel. Thereby, the attachment between the two layers and the first end of the band or string may be facilitated.

[0008] In an embodiment, each one of the two opposed layers of the attachment part has a general layer thickness of at least 1 millimetre, preferably at least 1.2 millimetres, and preferably at least 1.5 millimetres. Thereby, an even stronger attachment between the two layers and the first end of the band or string may be obtained by means of adherence or penetration of the material as a result of a limitation of the possible elongation of the two layers in a longitudinal direction of the band or string.

[0009] In a structurally particularly advantageous embodiment, each one of the two opposed layers of the attachment part has a general width, measured in a lateral direction of the band or string, of at least 10 millimetres, preferably at least 12 millimetres, and most preferred at least 15 millimetres.

[0010] In a structurally particularly advantageous embodiment, each one of the two opposed layers of the attachment part has a general width, measured in a lateral direction of the band or string, corresponding to between 65 and 135 per cent, and preferably between 75 and 125 per cent of a maximum dimension of the elastic loop element measured in the same lateral direction of the band or string.

[0011] In an embodiment, the first end of the band or string has two opposed flat sides, and the two opposed layers of the attachment part completely covers, in a width direction thereof, the two opposed flat sides of the first end of the band or string. Thereby, an even stronger attachment between the two layers and the first end of the band or string may be obtained.

[0012] In an embodiment, the two opposed layers are fixed to the first end of the band or string by means of welding, gluing or sewing. Thereby, a simple and unobtrusive attachment may be achieved. Attachment by means of sewing has the advantage that the pacifier connector may be attached to any type of material of which the band or string could be made. Attachment by means of welding requires that the material of the two opposed layers is compatible with the material of the band or string.

[0013] In a structurally particularly advantageous embodiment, the two opposed layers are fixed to the first end of the band or string by means of a number of stitches distributed at least substantially from one side to another of the band or string. Thereby, a strong attachment may be achieved.

[0014] In an embodiment, the two opposed layers are fixed to the first end of the band or string by means of at least one row of stiches forming a stich line extending in a transverse direction of the band or string. Thereby, a strong attachment may be achieved.

[0015] In an embodiment, a cross-sectional area of the peripheral wall forming the closed loop of the elastic loop element is in the range of 7 to 20 square millimetres, and preferably in the range of 10 to 16 square millimetres. Thereby, the possible extension of the closed loop of the elastic loop element may be sufficient for pulling, without using excessive force, the closed loop over an end knob of a pacifier in order to attach the pacifier to the pacifier holder. On the other hand, it may be avoided that the total length from one end to the other of the pacifier holder becomes too large when loading the pacifier holder with a test weight.

[0016] In a structurally particularly advantageous embodiment, the central through-going hole of the elastic loop element has a maximum cross-sectional dimension, wherein, along at least a major part of the closed loop, the peripheral wall has a minimum cross-sectional wall thickness, and the maximum cross-sectional dimension of the central through-going hole of the elastic loop element is smaller than 600 per cent of, preferably smaller than 500 per cent of, and most preferred smaller than 450 per cent of the minimum cross-sectional wall thickness of the at least major part of the peripheral wall.

[0017] In a structurally particularly advantageous embodiment, the peripheral wall forming the closed loop of the elastic loop element is formed by a continuously extending elastic material preventing opening of the closed loop.

[0018] In a structurally particularly advantageous embodiment, the pacifier connector includes an intermediate part arranged between the attachment part and the elastic loop element forming the closed loop, and a minimum cross-sectional area of the intermediate part is at least 7 square millimetres, preferably at least 10 square millimetres, and most preferred at least 14 square millimetres. Thereby, a good strength of the pacifier connector may be achieved, and a the same time, it may be avoided that the total length from one end to the other of the pacifier holder becomes too large when loading the pacifier holder with a test weight.

[0019] The invention will now be explained in more detail below by means of examples of embodiments with reference to the very schematic drawing, in which Fig. 1 is a plan view of an embodiment of a pacifier holder according to the present invention; Fig. 2 illustrates, on a larger scale, a pacifier connector provided at a first end of a band of the pacifier holder of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 illustrates, on a larger scale, a clip provided at a second end of the band of the pacifier holder of Fig. 1, the clip being adapted for attachment of the pacifier holder to a garment or the like; Figs. 4 to 6 illustrate different ways of connecting the pacifier connector of Fig. 2 to a pacifier; Fig. 7 illustrates an axial section through the pacifier connector and part of the band of Fig. 2; Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the clip of Fig. 3; and Fig. 9 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a pacifier holder according to the present invention, wherein a first end of a band of the pacifier holder is provided with a pacifier connector corresponding to that of Fig. 1, and wherein a second end of the band of the pacifier holder is connected with a security blanket designed with a kangaroo appearance.

[0020] In the following, generally, similar elements of different embodiments have been designated by the same reference numerals.

[0021] Fig. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a pacifier holder 1 according to the present invention. The pacifier holder 1 includes a band 2 or string having a first end 3 provided with a pacifier connector 4 adapted for connection with a pacifier 5 and a second end 6 adapted for connection with a garment, typically in the form of clothing of a child, by means of a clip 20. The band 2 or string may be made out of any suitable material, such as for example polyester, silicone or cotton. The band 2 or string may have the form of a flat band or a thread-like string or any variation thereof.

[0022] Fig. 9 illustrates another embodiment of a pacifier holder 1 according to the present invention, wherein the second end 6 of the band 2 is connected to a comfort object in the form of a security blanket 7. Alternatively, the second end 6 of the band 2 could be connected to a stuffed toy or any other suitable object.

[0023] According to the present invention, the pacifier connector 4 includes an attachment part 8 attached to the band 2 or string and an elastic loop element 9 having a peripheral wall 10 forming a closed loop 11 surrounding and thereby encircling a central through-going hole 12 of the elastic loop element 9. The closed loop 11 is formed by a continuous wall and the closed loop 11 cannot be opened without breaking the material of the wall. According to the embodiment illustrated in the figures and in particular as seen in Fig. 2, the peripheral wall 10 of the elastic loop element 9 has the form of a circular ring which also has a circular cross-section as seen in Fig. 7.

[0024] However, in alternative embodiments, the closed loop 11 of the elastic loop element 9 may have other forms than that of a circular ring. For example, the closed loop 11 of the elastic loop element 9 may have the form of an oval ring, a ring with the shape of an ellipse, a rectangular ring, a square ring, or a ring with the form of a heart or of any other suitable object. Possible corners of such ring may be rounded in order to avoid a notch effect which could cause breakage.

[0025] Likewise, the cross-section of the peripheral wall 10 forming the closed loop 11 may have any suitable form, such as circular, oval, ellipse-formed, rectangular, square, or any suitable form.

[0026] Furthermore, according to the present invention, as illustrated in Fig. 7, the attachment part 8 forms two opposed layers 14, 15 between which the first end 3 of the band 2 or string is sandwiched and fixed to the attachment part 8, and a single piece 13 forms the attachment part 8 and the elastic loop element 9 and is made of an elastic material having a Shore A between 50 and 80.

[0027] By forming the attachment part 8 with two layers 14, 15 attached to either side of the band 2 or string and restricting the Shore A of the material of the single piece 13 forming the attachment part 8 and the elastic loop element 9 to a value between 50 and 80, a strong attachment between the two layers and the first end 3 of the band 2 or string may be obtained by means of adherence or penetration of the material, such as for instance by means of rivets or screws or by means of sewing, without any risk of delamination or rupture of the elastic material of said single piece 13. In the case of adherence such as by welding or gluing, if the elastic material has a Shore A below 50, the two layers 14, 15 attached to either side of the band 2 or string may extend too much when loaded in the longitudinal direction of the band 2 or string with the result that a first part of the two layers 14, 15 next to an outer end of the second end 6 of the band 2 or string starts to delaminate from band 2 or string, and subsequently a further part of the two layers 14, 15 starts to delaminate, until the two layers 14, 15 detach completely from the band 2 or string. In the case of penetration of the material, such as for instance by means of rivets or screws or by means of sewing, if the elastic material has a Shore A below 50, the material of the two layers 14, 15 attached to either side of the band 2 or string may start to break, for instance as a result of a notch effect when the band 2 or string is loaded in the longitudinal direction thereof. In particular, if the elastic material is made of or includes silicone, the material may be particularly prone to rupture for instance as a result of a notch effect when sewing the material. According to the present invention, silicone may be a preferred material for the elastic material, and by using a silicone having a Shore A above 50, the material may be sewn onto the band 2 or string without risk of rupture and therefore with the advantage that any suitable material may be used of the band 2 or string, i.e. a lot of variations are possible when it comes to designing the band 2 or string.

[0028] On the other hand, if the elastic material has a Shore A above 80, the two layers 14, 15 attached to either side of the band 2 or string may become to hard or too brittle for attachment by penetration of the material, such as for instance by means of rivets or screws or by means of sewing. In particular sewing may be very difficult in this case.

[0029] At the same time, by restricting the Shore A of said material as described above, the elasticity of the closed loop 11 of the elastic loop element 9 may be sufficient for pulling the closed loop over an end knob 27 of a pacifier in order to attach the pacifier 5 to the pacifier holder 1 as illustrated in Figs. 4 or 6. Furthermore, the elasticity of the closed loop 11 of the elastic loop element 9 may be sufficient for pulling the closed loop over the clip 20 at the second end 6 of the band 2 or string when the band 2 or string has been drawn through a pivotal handle 28 of a pacifier 5, in order to fix the elastic loop element 9 to the pivotal handle 28, as illustrated in Fig. 5. On the other hand, by this restriction of the Shore A of said material, breakage of the elastic loop element 9 as a result of the material becoming too brittle may furthermore be avoided.

[0030] Even further, by said restriction of the Shore A of said material, it may be avoided that a total length from one end to the other of the pacifier holder 1 becomes too large when loading the pacifier holder with a test weight. The standard EN 12586 defines that, in a pull test of 2,5 kg, the length of the pacifier holder 1 measured from the attachment between the clip 20 and the band 2 or string and an outer end of a ring formed by the pacifier connector 4 must not be longer than 220 mm.

[0031] In an embodiment of the invention, the single piece 13 forming the attachment part 8 and the elastic loop element 9 is made of an elastic material having a Shore A between 54 and 79, preferably between 58 and 78, and most preferred between 62 and 77. It may even be preferred that the single piece 13 forming the attachment part 8 and the elastic loop element 9 is made of an elastic material having a Shore A of about 70.

[0032] The elastic material of the single piece 13 forming the attachment part 8 and the elastic loop element 9 may be any suitable elastic material, such as a rubber, a synthetic rubber, a synthetic plastic polymer, a silicone or any possible and suitable hybrid therebetween.

[0033] Preferably, the single piece 13 forming the attachment part 8 and the elastic loop element 9 is made by injection-moulding. However, any other suitable production method is of course possible, such as 3D printing.

[0034] The Shore A Hardness Scale is well-known to the skilled person for measuring the hardness of flexible mould rubbers that range in hardness from very soft and flexible, to medium and somewhat flexible, to hard with almost no flexibility at all. Semi-rigid plastics can also be measured on the high end of the Shore A Scale.

[0035] In the illustrated embodiment, the two opposed layers 14, 15 of the attachment part 8 are flat and parallel. Thereby, the attachment between the two layers and the first 3 end of the band 2 or string may be facilitated. Advantageously, in this way, the outer surfaces of the opposed layers 14, 15 provide space for branding in the form of a logo or the like.

[0036] In an embodiment of the invention, as indicated in Fig. 7, each one of the two opposed layers 14, 15 of the attachment part 8 has a general layer thickness t of at least 1 millimetre, preferably at least 1.2 millimetres, and preferably at least 1.5 millimetres. Thereby, an even stronger attachment between the two layers 14, 15 and the first end 3 of the band 2 or string may be obtained by means of adherence or penetration of the material as a result of a limitation of the possible elongation of the two layers in a longitudinal direction of the band or string.

[0037] In an embodiment of the invention, as indicated in Fig. 2, each one of the two opposed layers 14, 15 of the attachment part 8 has a general width w, measured in a lateral direction of the band 2 or string, of at least 10 millimetres, preferably at least 12 millimetres, and most preferred at least 15 millimetres.

[0038] Furthermore, in an embodiment of the invention, as indicated in Fig. 2, each one of the two opposed layers 14, 15 of the attachment part 8 has a general width w, measured in a lateral direction of the band 2 or string, i.e. a direction being at right angles to a longitudinal direction of the band 2 or string, corresponding to between 65 and 135 per cent, and preferably between 75 and 125 per cent of a maximum dimension L of the elastic loop element 9 measured in the same lateral direction of the band 2 or string. In the illustrated embodiment, in which the elastic loop element 9 is circular, said maximum dimension L corresponds to an outer diameter of the elastic loop element 9.

[0039] In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, as indicated in Figs. 2 and 7, the first end 3 of the band 2 or string has two opposed flat sides, and the two opposed layers 14, 15 of the attachment part 8 completely covers, in a width w direction thereof, the two opposed flat sides of the first end 3 of the band 2 or string. Thereby, an even stronger attachment between the two layers 14, 15 and the first 3 end of the band 2 or string may be obtained.

[0040] In an embodiment of the present invention, the two opposed layers 14, 15 are fixed to the first end 3 of the band 2 or string by means of welding, gluing or sewing. Thereby, a simple and unobtrusive attachment may be achieved. Attachment by means of sewing has the advantage that the pacifier connector 4 may be attached to any type of material of which the band 2 or string could be made. Attachment by means of welding requires that the material of the two opposed layers is compatible with the material of the band or string.

[0041] In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, as indicated in Figs. 2 and 7, the two opposed layers 14, 15 are fixed to the first end 3 of the band 2 or string by means of a number of stitches distributed at least substantially from one side 16 to another 17 of the band 2 or string. Thereby, a strong attachment may be achieved.

[0042] Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment of the invention, as indicated in Figs. 2 and 7, the two opposed layers 14, 15 are fixed to the first end 3 of the band 2 or string by means of two rows of stiches, each row forming a stich line 18 extending in a transverse direction of the band 2 or string. Thereby, a strong attachment may be achieved.

[0043] In an embodiment of the present invention, as indicated in Fig. 7, a cross-sectional area A of the peripheral wall 10 forming the closed loop 11 of the elastic loop element 9 is in the range of 7 to 20 square millimetres, and preferably in the range of 10 to 16 square millimetres. Thereby, the possible extension of the closed loop 11 of the elastic loop element 9 may be sufficient for pulling, without using excessive force, the closed loop over an end knob 27 of a pacifier 5 in order to attach the pacifier to the pacifier holder 1. On the other hand, it may be avoided that a total length from one end to the other of the pacifier holder becomes too large when loading the pacifier holder with a test weight as described above.

[0044] In an embodiment of the present invention, as indicated in Fig. 2, the central through-going hole 12 of the elastic loop element 9 has a maximum cross-sectional dimension D, wherein, along at least a major part of the closed loop 11, the peripheral wall 10 has a minimum cross-sectional wall thickness d, and the maximum cross-sectional dimension D of the central through-going hole 12 of the elastic loop element 9 is smaller than 600 per cent of, preferably smaller than 500 per cent of, and most preferred smaller than 450 per cent of the minimum cross-sectional wall thickness d of the at least major part of the peripheral wall 10. In the illustrated embodiment, in which the elastic loop element 9 is circular, the maximum cross-sectional dimension D of the central through-going hole 12 of the elastic loop element 9 corresponds to an inner diameter of a ring forming the elastic loop element 9. Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, the minimum cross-sectional wall thickness d of the peripheral wall 10 corresponds to a diameter of the circular cross-section of the peripheral wall 10 as illustrated in Fig. 7.

[0045] Preferably, the peripheral wall 10 forming the closed loop 11 of the elastic loop element 9 is formed by a continuously extending elastic material preventing opening of the closed loop 11 without breakage of the elastic material of the closed loop 11.

[0046] In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, as indicated in Figs. 2 and 7, the pacifier connector 4 includes an intermediate part 19 arranged between the attachment part 8 and the elastic loop element 9 forming the closed loop 11, and a minimum cross-sectional area of the intermediate part is at least 7 square millimetres, preferably at least 10 square millimetres, and most preferred at least 14 square millimetres. Thereby, a good strength of the pacifier connector 4 may be achieved, and a the same time, it may be avoided that a total length from one end to the other of the pacifier holder 1 becomes too large when loading the pacifier holder with a test weight as described above.

[0047] In an embodiment of the present invention, the two opposed layers 14, 15 are fixed to the first end 3 of the band 2 or string by means of welding, gluing, sewing or one or more mechanical elements, such as rivets, penetrating the opposed layers and the first end of the band or string.

[0048] In an embodiment, a cross-sectional area A of the peripheral wall 10 forming the closed loop is in the range of 7 to 20 square millimetres, and the single piece 13 forming the attachment part and the elastic loop element is made of an elastic material having a Shore A between 50 and 80.

[0049] In an embodiment, a cross-sectional area of the peripheral wall forming the closed loop is in the range of 10 to 20 square millimetres, and the single piece forming the attachment part and the elastic loop element is made of an elastic material having a Shore A between 50 and 80.

[0050] In an embodiment, a cross-sectional area of the peripheral wall forming the closed loop is in the range of 7 to 16 square millimetres, and the single piece forming the attachment part and the elastic loop element is made of an elastic material having a Shore A between 50 and 80. According to this embodiment, each one of the two opposed layers 14, 15 of the attachment part 8 has a general width w, measured in a lateral direction of the band 2 or string, corresponding to between 65 and 135 per cent, and preferably between 75 and 125 per cent of a maximum dimension L of the elastic loop element 9 measured in the same lateral direction of the band 2 or string.

[0051] In an embodiment, a cross-sectional area of the peripheral wall forming the closed loop is in the range of 7 to 20 square millimetres, and the single piece forming the attachment part and the elastic loop element is made of an elastic material having a Shore A between 54 and 79. According to this embodiment, each one of the two opposed layers 14, 15 of the attachment part 8 has a general width w, measured in a lateral direction of the band 2 or string, corresponding to between 65 and 135 per cent, and preferably between 75 and 125 per cent of a maximum dimension L of the elastic loop element 9 measured in the same lateral direction of the band 2 or string.

[0052] In an embodiment, a cross-sectional area of the peripheral wall forming the closed loop is in the range of 7 to 20 square millimetres, and the single piece forming the attachment part and the elastic loop element is made of an elastic material having a Shore A between 58 and 78. According to this embodiment, each one of the two opposed layers 14, 15 of the attachment part 8 has a general width w, measured in a lateral direction of the band 2 or string, corresponding to between 65 and 135 per cent, and preferably between 75 and 125 per cent of a maximum dimension L of the elastic loop element 9 measured in the same lateral direction of the band 2 or string.

[0053] In an embodiment, a cross-sectional area of the peripheral wall forming the closed loop is in the range of 7 to 20 square millimetres, and the single piece forming the attachment part and the elastic loop element is made of an elastic material having a Shore A between 62 and 77. According to this embodiment, each one of the two opposed layers 14, 15 of the attachment part 8 has a general width w, measured in a lateral direction of the band 2 or string, corresponding to between 65 and 135 per cent, and preferably between 75 and 125 per cent of a maximum dimension L of the elastic loop element 9 measured in the same lateral direction of the band 2 or string.List of reference numbers

[0054] Across-sectional area of peripheral wall forming closed loop Dmaximum cross-sectional dimension of through-going hole dminimum cross-sectional wall thickness of peripheral wall Lmaximum dimension of elastic loop element tlayer thickness of attachment part wgeneral width of attachment part 1pacifier holder 2band 3first end of band or string 4pacifier connector 5pacifier 6second end of band or string 7security blanket 8attachment part of pacifier connector 9elastic loop element of pacifier connector 10peripheral wall of elastic loop element 11closed loop 12central through-going hole of elastic loop element 13single piece formed by attachment part and elastic loop element 14, 15opposed layers of attachment part 16one side of band 17other side of band 18stitch line 19intermediate part of pacifier connector 20clip 21buckle part of clip 22operating flap of clip 23, 24jaws of clip 25pivot pin for operating flap 26teeth of clip 27end knob of pacifier 28pivotal handle of pacifier 29air holes of pacifier 30shield of pacifier 31central through-going hole of clip

Claims

1. A pacifier holder (1) including a band (2) or string having a first end (3) provided with a pacifier connector (4) adapted for connection with a pacifier (5) and a second end (6) adapted for connection with or being connected with a garment or a comfort object in the form of a security blanket (7), a stuffed toy or the like, the pacifier connector (4) including an attachment part (8) attached to the band (2) or string and an elastic loop element (9) having a peripheral wall (10) forming a closed loop (11) surrounding a central through-going hole (12) of the elastic loop element (9), and the attachment part (8) and the elastic loop element (9) being formed as one single piece (13), characterised in that the attachment part (8) forms two opposed layers (14, 15) between which the first end (3) of the band (2) or string is sandwiched and fixed to the attachment part (8), and in that the single piece (13) forming the attachment part (8) and the elastic loop element (9) is made of an elastic material having a Shore A between 50 and 80.

2. A pacifier holder according to claim 1, wherein the single piece (13) forming the attachment part (8) and the elastic loop element (9) is made of an elastic material having a Shore A between 54 and 79, preferably between 58 and 78, and most preferred between 62 and 77.

3. A pacifier holder according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the two opposed layers (14, 15) of the attachment part (8) are at least substantially flat and at least substantially parallel.

4. A pacifier holder according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each one of the two opposed layers (14, 15) of the attachment part (8) has a general layer thickness (t) of at least 1 millimetre, preferably at least 1.2 millimetres, and preferably at least 1.5 millimetres.

5. A pacifier holder according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each one of the two opposed layers (14, 15) of the attachment part (8) has a general width (w), measured in a lateral direction of the band (2) or string, of at least 10 millimetres, preferably at least 12 millimetres, and most preferred at least 15 millimetres.

6. A pacifier holder according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each one of the two opposed layers (14, 15) of the attachment part (8) has a general width (w), measured in a lateral direction of the band (2) or string, corresponding to between 65 and 135 per cent, and preferably between 75 and 125 per cent of a maximum dimension (L) of the elastic loop element (9) measured in the same lateral direction of the band (2) or string.

7. A pacifier holder according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first end (3) of the band (2) or string has two opposed flat sides, and wherein the two opposed layers (14, 15) of the attachment part (8) completely covers, in a width (w) direction thereof, the two opposed flat sides of the first end (3) of the band (2) or string.

8. A pacifier holder according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the two opposed layers (14, 15) are fixed to the first end (3) of the band (2) or string by means of welding, gluing or sewing.

9. A pacifier holder according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the two opposed layers (14, 15) are fixed to the first end (3) of the band (2) or string by means of a number of stitches distributed at least substantially from one side (16) to another (17) of the band (2) or string.

10. A pacifier holder according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the two opposed layers (14, 15) are fixed to the first end (3) of the band (2) or string by means of at least one row of stiches forming a stich line (18) extending in a transverse direction of the band (2) or string.

11. A pacifier holder according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a cross-sectional area (A) of the peripheral wall (10) forming the closed loop (11) of the elastic loop element (9) is in the range of 7 to 20 square millimetres, and preferably in the range of 10 to 16 square millimetres.

12. A pacifier holder according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the central through-going hole (12) of the elastic loop element (9) has a maximum cross-sectional dimension (D), wherein, along at least a major part of the closed loop (11), the peripheral wall (10) has a minimum cross-sectional wall thickness (d), and wherein the maximum cross-sectional dimension (D) of the central through-going hole (12) of the elastic loop element (9) is smaller than 600 per cent of, preferably smaller than 500 per cent of, and most preferred smaller than 450 per cent of the minimum cross-sectional wall thickness (d) of the at least major part of the peripheral wall (10).

13. A pacifier holder according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the peripheral wall (10) forming the closed loop (11) of the elastic loop element (9) is formed by a continuously extending elastic material preventing opening of the closed loop (11).

14. A pacifier holder according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pacifier connector (4) includes an intermediate part (19) arranged between the attachment part (8) and the elastic loop element (9) forming the closed loop (11), and wherein a minimum cross-sectional area of the intermediate part is at least 7 square millimetres, preferably at least 10 square millimetres, and most preferred at least 14 square millimetres.

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