Pacifier Shield Perforations and Segmented Nipple

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional pacifiers often have a rigid nipple due to the need for a rigid shield, which can be uncomfortable for children and difficult to clean, and existing designs do not efficiently facilitate sterilization without exposing the delicate nipple to prolonged boiling water exposure.

Innovation Solution

A pacifier design featuring a shield with perforations and recesses, along with a curved edge, allowing for improved fit, ventilation, and comfort, while enabling efficient sterilization by allowing greater rotation and agitation during boiling water sterilization, and utilizing multiple components made from resilient, non-toxic materials for enhanced durability and ease of manufacturing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the shield is made of rigid material to provide adequate rigidity, then the shield structural strength is improved, but the nipple becomes more rigid than desired and less comfortable for the child

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshield structural strengthVSAvoidnipple comfort

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The pacifier is divided into separate components: a rigid shield made of rigid material and a separate nipple made of flexible material. The shield provides structural strength while the nipple provides comfort, eliminating the compromise required in integrally formed pacifiers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of manufacture

If the shield is made integrally formed with the nipple, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but the nipple rigidity cannot be optimized independently and comfort deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidnipple comfort

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If the pacifier is sterilized in boiling water for extended time to ensure complete sterilization, then sterilization effectiveness is improved, but the delicate nipple is exposed to boiling water for too long and may be damaged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesterilization effectivenessVSAvoidnipple exposure time to boiling water

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The pacifier components are separated during sterilization. The shield can be sterilized in boiling water for extended periods to ensure complete sterilization, while the delicate nipple can be sterilized separately for a shorter duration or by alternative methods, preventing damage to the nipple material.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Strength

If the shield has a solid design without perforations to maintain structural integrity, then shield strength is improved, but ventilation of the skin surrounding the child's mouth is reduced and mass increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshield strengthVSAvoidskin ventilation

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The shield incorporates perforations that allow air to pass through, providing ventilation to the skin surrounding the child's mouth while maintaining the structural integrity and strength of the shield through strategic placement and sizing of the perforations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

Data Source

PatentUS8133259B2Pacifier

Publication Date: 2012.03.13 MAM BABYARTIKEL GMBH

AI summary

A child's pacifier having a shield with a concave side and a convex side, a nipple extending outwardly from the concave side and a handle extending outwardly from the convex side. The shield is in the shape of two wings, each wing having two lobes, with the shield having a plurality of holes and a curved edge providing a bumper.