Dual-Chamber Pacifier Cooling via Segmented Freezing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pacifiers and teething devices fail to maintain optimal cold temperatures for extended periods and can be uncomfortable due to their rigid frozen surfaces, leading to inadequate pain relief for children during teething.

Innovation Solution

A dual-chambered pacifier design featuring an outer shell with a first cooling medium (salt water) and an inner shell with a second cooling medium (water), where the inner medium freezes while the outer medium remains in a slushy state, providing prolonged cooling comfort and minimizing discomfort.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If a single-chamber pacifier with frozen liquid is used, then immediate cooling relief is provided, but the device quickly warms up and loses effectiveness

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling temperatureVSAvoidduration of cooling effect

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The pacifier is divided into two separate chambers: an inner chamber containing water that freezes to provide cold temperature, and an outer chamber containing salt water that remains liquid to provide prolonged cooling. This segmentation allows each chamber to perform its specific function independently, resolving the contradiction between immediate cooling and duration of effect.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The inner chamber is nested within the outer chamber, with the frozen water chamber inside the salt water chamber. This nested structure allows the frozen inner chamber to provide initial intense cooling while the surrounding liquid salt water in the outer chamber acts as a thermal reservoir to extend the cooling duration, preventing the device from warming up too quickly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Temperature

If a frozen pacifier is used, then cooling relief is provided, but the rigid frozen surface causes discomfort to tender gums

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling temperatureVSAvoidcomfort to gums

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The pacifier design creates different local qualities within the two chambers: the inner chamber is designed to freeze and provide intense cold therapy, while the outer chamber is designed to remain liquid to provide a soft, flexible, and comfortable surface that contacts the gums. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between providing sufficient cooling and maintaining gum comfort.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The pacifier uses a composite approach with two different cooling mediums: water in the inner chamber and salt water solution in the outer chamber. These materials have different freezing points and physical properties, allowing the inner chamber to freeze while the outer chamber remains pliable and comfortable, combining the benefits of both frozen and liquid states.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Temperature

If a frozen pacifier is used, then cooling relief is provided, but the sudden temperature drop causes unpleasant sensation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling temperatureVSAvoidthermal shock to oral tissue

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The outer chamber of liquid salt water acts as a thermal cushion between the frozen inner chamber and the oral tissue. This liquid layer prevents direct contact with the extremely cold frozen surface, cushioning the thermal transition and preventing sudden thermal shock to the gums while still delivering effective cooling relief.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The dual-chambered pacifier effectively maintains a soothing, malleable surface that provides prolonged pain relief and comfort to children's gums during teething, allowing for extended use and potential relaxation or sleep.

Implementation Method 1

an inner shell forming an inner chamber positioned inside the outer chamber and which is configured to retain a second cooling medium having a freezing temperature above the freezing point temperature of the first cooling medium to assist in chilling the first cooling medium

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFreezing: Freezing

Implementation Method 2

the inner medium freezes while the outer medium remains in a slushy state, providing prolonged cooling comfort

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS11819472B2Pacifier for cooling of oral tissue

Publication Date: 2023.11.21 CHEMOMOUTHPIECE LLC

AI summary

A pacifier for cooling of oral tissue including: a nipple having an outer shell forming an outer chamber which is configured to retain a first cooling medium having a freezing temperature below 0 degrees Celsius, an inner shell forming an inner chamber positioned inside the outer chamber and which is configured to retain a second cooling medium having a freezing temperature above the freezing point temperature of the first cooling medium to assist in chilling the first cooling medium; a handle coupled to a proximate end of the nipple; and a shield positioned between the handle and the proximate end of the nipple.