Elastic Pacifier Attachment Device for Toy Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional pacifiers are difficult for children to locate in playpens or cribs and can easily fall through the slats, leading to loss.

Innovation Solution

A pacifier attachment device made from flexible and elastic polymer material with a strap and coupling mechanism that securely attaches a pacifier to a toy, allowing for easy replacement and washing without detaching the pacifier, and preventing the combined assembly from falling through crib slats.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a pacifier is securely attached to a stuffed toy, then the pacifier is prevented from falling through crib slats and is easier to locate, but the pacifier cannot be easily replaced or washed separately from the toy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepacifier retentionVSAvoidpacifier replacement and washing

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment device is designed as a separate intermediary component that segments the pacifier and toy into independent elements. The device includes a first portion that attaches to the toy and a second portion that attaches to the pacifier, allowing the pacifier to be easily detached and replaced while remaining securely attached when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment device serves as an intermediary component between the pacifier and toy. This mediator allows secure attachment while enabling easy separation for washing or replacement, resolving the contradiction between retention reliability and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the pacifier attachment device is made from flexible and elastic polymer material, then the device can easily attach and detach from the pacifier and toy, but the device may deform under stress

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment and detachmentVSAvoiddevice shape stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment device utilizes changes in material parameters (flexibility and elasticity) to enable easy attachment and detachment. The flexible and elastic polymer material allows the device to deform during attachment/detachment operations and then return to its original shape, maintaining stability while enabling ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 solution enhances the child's ability to locate and retain the pacifier, preventing loss and allowing for easy maintenance of both the pacifier and toy, while providing increased entertainment through the combination of a toy and pacifier.

Implementation Method 1

an integrally-formed substrate formed from a flexible and elastic polymer material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS11638679B2Combined toy and pacifier assembly and pacifier attachment device for use therein

Publication Date: 2023.05.02 TREBCO LLC

AI summary

A pacifier attachment device for releasably attaching a pacifier to a toy, the pacifier attachment device comprising: an integrally-formed substrate formed from a flexible and elastic polymer material, wherein the integrally formed substrate includes a strap having a first strap portion and a second strap portion, and a coupling mechanism for releasably coupling the first strap portion with the second strap portion, said coupling mechanism being integrally formed with the strap.