Teething toys

Abstract

The present invention aims to improve the shape retention of teething toys while maintaining a pleasant chewing feel for infants. [Solution] In conventional teething toys with holes, the holes were made of a single material. Therefore, if the holes are made of a single soft material, it is comfortable for infants to chew on, but the teething toy does not maintain its shape well. In particular, the edges of the holes, which are the areas where infants chew, are prone to losing their shape. This problem can be solved by a teething toy T in which the holes H are made of two or more different materials, and at least one of the different materials is harder than the others.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a teething device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in order to promote the growth of infants' teeth, for example, a teething device as described in Patent Document 1 is known. Also, there is a teething device provided with a hole that serves as a handle for the teething device to make it easier for infants to hold.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In a conventionally known teething device provided with a hole, the hole was made of a single type of material. Therefore, if the hole was made of a soft material, it would be comfortable for infants to bite, but it would be difficult to maintain the shape of the teething device. In particular, the edge of the hole, which is also the part where infants bite, was a part where the shape was easily deformed.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to improve the shape retention force of a teething device while retaining the comfortable biting feeling for infants.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The first means is a teething device characterized in that the hole portion is composed of two or more different materials, and at least one of the different materials is harder than the other materials.

[0007] The second means is the first means, and is a teething device characterized by being an animal doll.

[0008] A third means is the second means, characterized in that the animal figurine has the hole.

[0009] A fourth means is a first means, characterized in that it has a contact portion wider than the hole portion.

[0010] The fifth means is the first means, characterized by having a contact portion that protrudes in the front-rear direction and / or downward direction.

[0011] The sixth method is the first method, characterized by having irregularities on its back surface.

[0012] The seventh means is the first means, characterized in that the hole has a shape that is recessed in the center.

[0013] The eighth means is the second means, characterized in that a part of the face of the animal doll is made of a hard material. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the present invention, teething toys have improved shape retention while maintaining a pleasant chewing feel for infants. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0015] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing a teething toy in this embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view showing a teething toy in this embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view showing a part of the teething toy in this embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0016] Hereinafter, embodiments of the tooth guard according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 is a perspective view of the animal-shaped teething toy T, with the front facing the viewer. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the toothbrush T with the back side of the animal - shaped toothbrush T facing forward. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a part of the toothbrush T made of a hard material, with the front side of the toothbrush T facing forward. Note that FIGS. 1 to 3 are examples using the case where the toothbrush T is an animal - shaped one. However, as described later, the toothbrush T may have a configuration including an animal - shaped one, and is not limited to this example as long as it has a configuration including an animal - shaped one.

[0017] [Configuration of the Toothbrush] First, the configuration of the toothbrush T will be described. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the toothbrush T is, for example, flat. Note that the toothbrush T may not be flat but three - dimensional.

[0018] The size of the toothbrush T is such that it can fit in an adult's palm.

[0019] The toothbrush T has a configuration including an animal - shaped one. The configuration including an animal - shaped one includes not only the animal - shaped one itself but also a configuration combining the animal - shaped one with something other than the animal - shaped one. There has been no such toothbrush with a configuration including an animal - shaped one in the past. By having a configuration including an animal - shaped one, that is, by having eyes, nose, and mouth, a toothbrush highly interesting to infants can be realized. The animal - shaped one is not limited to a human - shaped one imitating a real animal, and is assumed to include a human - shaped one imitating a fictional animal that does not exist, etc. Note that the toothbrush T may be other than an animal - shaped one, but since the above - mentioned effects can be obtained when it has a configuration including an animal - shaped one, it is preferably configured to include an animal - shaped one. Also, the configuration of combining the animal - shaped one with something other than the animal - shaped one is, for example, a configuration of combining a character (e.g., riding) with a pedestal (e.g., a house).

[0020] As shown in FIG. 2, on the back surface of the teething ring T, there are, for example, convex portions U in the shape of a wave or a circle. As a result, for an infant, when the teeth are about to grow, the gums become itchy, and due to the presence of the irregularities, the contact with the mouth is better, improving the chewing comfort for the infant. Also, as shown in FIG. 2, the convex portion U is provided on the back side of the face portion of the teething ring T in the form of a doll, that is, there are irregularities in a location where an infant is likely to put it in the mouth, so it is easy for the infant to obtain good chewing comfort.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 3, the portions P1 of the eyebrows, eyes, nose, and mouth of the face portion of the teething ring T are integrally formed. Also, the eyebrows, eyes, nose, and mouth are made of a hard material such as synthetic rubber, for example, PP (polypropylene), ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene resin), POM (polyacetal). As a result, the shape of the teething ring (especially the parts of the face portion) is less likely to break. Note that the portions P3 other than the eyebrows, eyes, nose, mouth, and clothes are made of a soft material as described later. In the case of a teething ring made only of a soft material, the shape of the teething ring is likely to break.

[0022] The clothing portion P2 of the doll of the teething ring T is made of a hard material such as synthetic rubber, for example, PP (polypropylene), ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene resin), POM (polyacetal). As a result, the shape of the teething ring is less likely to break.

[0023] The portions P3 other than the eyebrows, eyes, nose, mouth, and clothes of the teething ring T are made of a soft material such as synthetic rubber, for example, TPE (thermoplastic elastomer), silicone, PVC (polyvinyl chloride). As a result, the portions where an infant is considered to mainly chew are soft, improving the chewing comfort for the infant.

[0024] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the teething toy T is provided with holes H. In Figures 1 and 2, the holes H are located on the abdomen of the animal-shaped teething toy T. The holes H are not limited to being located on the abdomen of the teething toy T, but may also be located on other parts of the teething toy T (for example, the face, limbs, or other parts of the animal-shaped toy). The number of holes H is not limited to one, but may be two or more. The presence of holes H makes it easier for infants to grasp the teething toy. The pore H is composed of two or more different materials. These different materials include at least one hard material. In the teething toy T shown in Figures 1 and 2, the clothing portion P2 is made of a hard material, while the other parts are made of a soft material. This makes it less likely for the shape of the pore H to collapse. The hard material used in the clothing portion P2 refers to a material that is harder than the material used for the main body of the teething toy T. The main body of the teething toy T refers to the part of the teething toy T that has a large surface area and is usually easy for an infant to chew on. Here, when the periphery of the hole H is in contact with two or more different materials, the area of ​​the periphery occupied by a material harder than the material used for the main body of the teething toy T may be arbitrary. To make the shape of the hole H less likely to collapse, preferably, the area of ​​the periphery occupied by a material harder than the material used for the main body of the teething toy T may be 30% or more. More preferably, it may be 40% or more or 50% or more. Also, to improve the chewing comfort for infants, preferably, the area of ​​the periphery occupied by a material harder than the material used for the main body of the teething toy T may be 90% or less. More preferably, it may be 80% or less, 70% or less, 60% or less or 50% or less. Note that the statement that the hole H is composed of two or more different materials is not limited to the configuration in which the periphery of the hole H is in strict contact with two or more different materials. It also includes configurations in which only one type of material is in strict contact with the periphery of the hole H, but other materials surround at least a part of the hole H. Furthermore, the configuration is not limited to a configuration in which two or more different materials divide the hole H in the circumferential direction, but also includes a configuration in which the periphery of the front and back surfaces of the hole H is composed of two or more different materials. It is preferable that the main material used for the teething toy T and the harder material used for the teething toy T be of different colors. The opening H is gourd-shaped with a central depression. This is intended to prevent the infant's hands and feet from getting stuck in the opening H and becoming unable to escape. Furthermore, because the hole H is located in the lower part (in this case, the abdomen) of the animal-shaped teething toy T, the infant naturally holds the lower part, which encourages them to bite the upper part (in this case, the face) of the animal toy, making it difficult for them to bite the contact point G of the animal toy, which will be discussed later.

[0025] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the teething toy T is provided with a contact area G that is wider than the hole H. Wider means in the front-to-back direction (directions perpendicular to the front and back of the teething toy T) and / or the left-to-right direction (towards the right and left hands of the teething toy T). This makes it easier to stand the teething toy upright. When the teething toy T stands upright, it is more likely to catch the infant's eye and easier for the infant to grasp. Furthermore, the contact point G has a protruding portion in the front-to-back direction (perpendicular to the front and back surfaces of the teething toy T). This makes it easier to stand the teething toy upright. In addition, if the teething toy falls over, a gap is created between it and the contact surface, making it easier for the infant to grasp. Furthermore, the contact point G may have a portion that protrudes downward (towards the feet of the teething toy T). This way, even when the teething toy T is standing upright, a gap is created between it and the contact surface, making it easier for the infant to grasp.

[0026] As mentioned above, Teether T is made of different materials. This makes it easier to adjust the center of gravity and adds variety and accent to the chewing experience for infants. Also, using a hard material in some parts makes it less likely for the shape of the holes to collapse. Furthermore, using a soft material for the chewing part improves the chewing experience. Although the above examples use PP and TPE, three or more materials may also be used. In addition to the teething toy T shapes shown in Figures 1 and 2, it is also possible to embed other materials. This allows for adjustment of the center of gravity. Furthermore, in Figures 1 and 2, the hole H of the teething toy T is made of different materials for the clothing part P2 of the animal doll and the rest of the toy. However, this example is not limited to this, and the area between the feet (ground contact part G), that is, the lower part of the hole H, may also be made of a different material. For example, using a heavier material between the feet will make the teething toy more stable when it is standing upright. Alternatively, the left and right parts of the hole H may be made of different materials. Doing so will create variations in the chewing sensation for the infant.

[0027] [Method of manufacturing teething toys] Next, we will explain the manufacturing method of teething toy T. First, the hard parts of the teething toy T, namely the eyebrows, eyes, nose, and mouth parts P1 and the clothing part P2, are molded. Next, the eyebrows, eyes, nose, and mouth parts P1 and the clothing parts P2 are placed in the mold, and the parts P3 other than the eyebrows, eyes, nose, mouth, and clothing are partially molded by pouring in a soft material. Furthermore, the teething toy T is colored using pre-colored material, and no paint is applied. This is to prevent the paint from peeling off when the infant chews on the teething toy, and also to prevent the infant's health from being harmed by paint.

[0028] [effect] As described above, the teething toy T is characterized in that the pore H is composed of two or more different materials, and at least one of these different materials is harder than the others. This improves shape retention while retaining the pleasant chewing feel for infants.

[0029] The embodiments to which the present invention can be applied are not limited to those described above, and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0030] Teething toys U-shaped protrusion P1 Eyebrows, eyes, nose, and mouth area P2 Clothing part P3 Areas other than eyebrows, eyes, nose, mouth, and clothing H hole G Grounding part

Claims

1. The pores are composed of two or more different materials. A teething toy characterized in that, among the aforementioned different materials, at least one material is harder than the other materials.

2. The teething toy according to claim 1, characterized in that it includes an animal figurine.

3. The teething toy according to claim 2, characterized in that the configuration including the animal doll has the aforementioned hole.

4. The tooth holder according to claim 1, characterized in that it has a contact portion wider than the aforementioned hole.

5. The tooth holder according to claim 1, characterized in that it has a contact portion that protrudes in the front-rear direction and / or downward direction.

6. The teething toy according to claim 1, characterized in that it has an uneven surface on the back.

7. The tooth toy according to claim 1, characterized in that the hole has a recessed shape in the center.

8. The teething toy according to claim 2, characterized in that a part of the face of the animal doll is made of a hard material.

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