Retractable Pacifier Clip with Flexible Arms

Solution Overview

Problem

Pacifiers are difficult for children to locate in playpens and can fall through slats or openings, necessitating a secure and easy-to-use attachment solution that allows for easy replacement and washing without compromising the toy.

Innovation Solution

A retractable pacifier attachment clip that is permanently attached to a plush toy, featuring flexible arms and a mechanism allowing for secure attachment and detachment, preventing inadvertent removal by infants while being easily accessible for adults, with a design that hides the clip within the toy when not in use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the pacifier is permanently attached to the toy, then the pacifier cannot fall through playpen slats, but the toy cannot be washed separately and the pacifier cannot be easily replaced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepacifier retentionVSAvoidpacifier replacement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment system is divided into two segments: a permanent attachment mechanism (suction cup or adhesive) that secures the clip to the toy, and a releasable clip mechanism that attaches the pacifier to the toy. This segmentation allows the pacifier to be easily detached and reattached while maintaining secure attachment during use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If the pacifier is permanently attached to the toy, then the pacifier cannot fall through playpen slats, but washing the toy requires washing the pacifier together

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepacifier retentionVSAvoidwashing maintenance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment system is divided into two segments: a permanent attachment mechanism (suction cup or adhesive) that secures the clip to the toy, and a releasable clip mechanism that attaches the pacifier to the toy. This segmentation allows the pacifier to be easily detached and reattached while maintaining secure attachment during use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Device complexity

If a non-retractable clip is used to attach the pacifier, then the attachment is simple, but the clip is exposed and may be accessed or detached by the child

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclip structureVSAvoidattachment security

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The clip is designed with retractable functionality, allowing it to move between an extended position (when a pacifier is attached) and a retracted position (when no pacifier is attached). This dynamic behavior ensures the clip is hidden when not in use, preventing child access, while being accessible when needed for attachment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The retractable clip mechanism is nested within the toy body, with the clip storing inside a cavity or compartment in the toy when retracted. This nesting approach hides the clip from children while maintaining easy accessibility for adults who can extend the clip when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

4Ease of operation

If the clip is always exposed for easy attachment, then adults can easily attach the pacifier, but the child can also access and potentially detach the pacifier

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepacifier attachmentVSAvoidprevention of inadvertent detachment

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The clip is designed with retractable functionality, allowing it to move between an extended position (when a pacifier is attached) and a retracted position (when no pacifier is attached). This dynamic behavior ensures the clip is hidden when not in use, preventing child access, while being accessible when needed for attachment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The retractable clip mechanism is nested within the toy body, with the clip storing inside a cavity or compartment in the toy when retracted. This nesting approach hides the clip from children while maintaining easy accessibility for adults who can extend the clip when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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 provides a secure, easy-to-use attachment that prevents pacifier loss and facilitates easy cleaning by allowing the pacifier to be detached and reattached without exposing the clip, ensuring the toy can be safely used by children while maintaining hygiene.

Implementation Method 1

one or more flexible arms in the pacifier attachment clip, with the one or more flexible arms biasing or urging the clip toward the position within the cavity in the plush toy

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS20230024883A1Pacifier attachment clip and plush toy with pacifier attachment clip

Publication Date: 2023.01.26 TREBCO LLC

AI summary

A retractable clip that includes a clip portion for releasably attaching a pacifier to the clip portion, and a plurality of flexible arms extending from the clip portion, with the flexible arms being configured to non-releasably attach to a toy, wherein each of the plurality of flexible arms is configured to retain the clip portion in a retracted position relative to the toy and is further configured to flex so as to extend the clip portion relative to the toy upon application of a force.