Prefilled Medicated Pacifier

Abstract

The present invention relates to an improved pacifier to provide a pre-measured medication or supplement to an infant without requiring teaspoons, medical cups, and more. The improved pacifier features a substantially transparent nipple which is prefilled, or selectively filled, with a liquid medication or supplement that allows an infant to suck the nipple to dispense the medication or supplement in their mouth. The nipple is releasably attached to a shield device through a central opening of the shield. The shield also inhibits the pacifier from falling out of the mouth and dropping on the ground. The nipples are color coded in different colors for indicating different medications. Pre-measured dosage marks are indicated on the nipple for indicating the quantity of the medication stored in the nipple.

Claims

1. A dispensing pacifier device comprising: a pacifier device having a shield, a ring and a nipple; wherein said shield having a substantially planar body including an interior surface oriented towards the mouth of an infant when said pacifier device is in use and held in the mouth of the infant; wherein said nipple having a base end and an opposing suckling end including a notch proximal to said base end; wherein said suckling end having an orifice; wherein said base end configured to releasably insert said notch through an opening of said shield; wherein said notch abuts against said shield such that said base end and said suckling end are oriented on opposite sides of said shield when said nipple is mounted to said shield; and further wherein said nipple having an interior cavity to store and dispense through said orifice pre-measured doses of medication, vitamins, or supplements contained in said nipple when said nipple is held in the mouth of the infant.

2. The dispensing pacifier device of claim 1, wherein said nipple including a material of food grade silicone.

3. The dispensing pacifier device of claim 1, wherein said nipple including a material of food grade rubber.

4. The dispensing pacifier device of claim 1, wherein said nipple is transparent.

5. The dispensing pacifier device of claim 1, wherein said interior cavity of said nipple is prefilled with said pre-measured doses.

6. The dispensing pacifier device of claim 1, wherein said nipple includes a color to correspond to a particular said pre-measured dose.

7. The dispensing pacifier device of claim 1, wherein said ring attached to an exterior surface of said shield and further wherein said ring used for holding said pacifier device.

8. The dispensing pacifier device of claim 1, wherein said nipple is disposable.

9. The dispensing pacifier device of claim 1, wherein said nipple is reusable.

10. The dispensing pacifier device of claim 1, wherein said nipple having a plurality of pre-measured dosage markings printed thereon.

11. A dispensing pacifier device comprising: a pacifier device having a shield, a ring and a nipple; wherein said shield having a substantially planar body including an interior surface oriented towards the mouth of an infant when said pacifier device is in use and held in the mouth of the infant; wherein said nipple having a base end and an opposing suckling end including a notch proximal to said base end; wherein said suckling end having an orifice; wherein said base end configured to releasably insert said notch through an opening of said shield; wherein said notch abuts against said shield such that said base end and said suckling end are oriented on opposite sides of said shield when said nipple is mounted to said shield; wherein said nipple having a detachable portion selectively removable for filling an interior cavity with measured doses of medication, vitamins, or supplements; and further wherein said nipple having an orifice at a terminal end of said suckling end for dispensing said measured doses when said nipple is held in the mouth of the infant.

12. The dispensing pacifier device of claim 11, wherein said nipple including a material of food grade silicone.

13. The dispensing pacifier device of claim 11, wherein said nipple is transparent.

14. The dispensing pacifier device of claim 11, wherein said ring attached to an exterior surface of said shield and further wherein said ring used for holding said pacifier device.

15. The dispensing pacifier device of claim 11, wherein said nipple is disposable.

16. The dispensing pacifier device of claim 11, wherein said nipple is reusable.

17. The dispensing pacifier device of claim 11, wherein said nipple having a plurality of pre-measured dosage indicators marked thereon.

18. A supplement dispensing pacifier device comprising: a pacifier device having a shield, a ring and a nipple; wherein said shield having a substantially planar body including an interior surface oriented towards the mouth of an infant when said pacifier device is in use and held in the mouth of the infant; wherein said nipple having a base end and an opposing suckling end including a notch proximal to said base end; wherein said suckling end having an orifice; wherein said base end configured to releasably insert said notch through an opening of said shield; wherein said notch abuts against said shield such that said base end and said suckling end are oriented on opposite sides of said shield when said nipple is mounted to said shield; wherein said nipple having a detachable portion selectively removable for filling an interior cavity with measured doses of medication, vitamins, or supplements; wherein said nipple having a plurality of measured dosage indicators marked thereon; wherein said nipple is transparent; and further wherein said nipple having an orifice at a terminal end of said suckling end for dispensing said measured doses when said nipple is held in the mouth of the infant.

19. The supplement dispensing pacifier device of claim 18, wherein said nipple including a material of food grade silicone.

20. The supplement dispensing pacifier device of claim 19, wherein said nipple is reusable.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:

[0018] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of a prefilled medication pacifier of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

[0019] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the pacifier device of FIG. 1 in an unassembled form with the nipple detached from the shield in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

[0020] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of another embodiment of the prefilled medicated pacifier device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

[0021] FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of another embodiment of disposable nipple used with the pacifier device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

[0022] FIG. 5A illustrates one potential packaging arrangement for sanitized nipples used with the medication dispensing pacifier device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

[0023] FIG. 5B illustrates another potential packaging arrangement for sanitized nipples used with the medication dispensing pacifier device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture; and

[0024] FIG. 6 illustrates a flow diagram depicting steps in use of the prefilled medicated pacifier of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0025] The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.

[0026] As noted above, there is a long-felt need in the art for a device that allows an adult to administer liquid medication, vitamins, and/or food supplements easily to an infant. There is also a long-felt need in the art for a medication administering device that eliminates use of tablespoons, teaspoons, small cups, and more for administering medicine to infants. Additionally, there is a long-felt need in the art for a prefilled medicated pacifier to easily administer medicine, vitamins, or other medical products to children. Moreover, there is a long-felt need in the art for a medication dispenser that is prefilled with a desired quantity of medication or supplement. Further, there is a long-felt need in the art for a medication administering pacifier device that can be used for administering different types of medications easily and quickly. Furthermore, there is a long-felt need in the art for a medication administering device that eliminates contamination of medication and supplements. Finally, there is a long-felt need in the art for a simple prefilled medication dispenser for children that is used to deliver various medications to an infant like cold medicine, vitamins, and more.

[0027] The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is a method for feeding or administering medication or supplements to an infant. The method includes the steps of filling a nipple with a medication wherein a color of the nipple can indicate the particular medication, attaching the nipple to a pacifier shield device by passing a base of the nipple through an opening of the shield, sucking the nipple by an infant, dispensing the medication from an orifice of the nipple, and removing the nipple from the pacifier after use. A new nipple can be attached to the shield for dispensing another medication to the infant.

[0028] Referring initially to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of a prefilled medication pacifier of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. The prefilled medication pacifier device 100 of the present invention is designed to store and dispense pre-measured doses of medication, vitamins, or supplements contained in sanitized disposable unitary nipples. The pacifier 100 includes a mouth shield 102 having a substantially planar body. Further, the shield 102 includes an interior surface 104 oriented towards the mouth of an infant when the pacifier device 100 is in use for dispensing medication into the mouth of the infant. A ring 106 is attached to the exterior surface 108 of the shield 102, wherein the ring 106 is used for holding the pacifier device 100.

[0029] A disposable unitary nipple 110 having a base or pointed end 112 and an opposite suckling end 114 is configured to releasably insert through a central opening 116 of the shield 102. A notch 118 of the nipple 110 abuts against the shield 102, such that the suckling end 114 and the pointed end 112 are oriented on opposite sides of the shield 102. The nipple 110 is made of food grade and sanitized rubber or silicone such that while inserting the nipple 110 through the opening 116, the pointed end 112 easily passes through the opening 116 to abut the notch 118. The suckling end 114 orients toward the interior surface 104 of the shield 102 and the pointed end 112 orients toward the exterior surface 108 of the shield 102. The nipple 110 includes a cavity portion 111 (i.e., hollow portion) that can be prefilled with a specific type of medicine, vitamin, or supplement. The nipple 110 is substantially transparent. Further, in exemplary embodiments, nipples 110 prefilled with different types of medications, vitamins, and/or supplements can be formed in different colors enabling a user to uniquely identify the medications, vitamins, and/or supplements.

[0030] The nipple 110 has a plurality of pre-measured dosage indicators or markings 120a-n marked thereon enabling a user, such as a parent or guardian, to administer a desired and accurate quantity of the medication stored in the nipple 110. The suckling end 114 has a pre-structured orifice 122 for dispensing the stored medication uniformly when the nipple 110 is sucked by an infant. This eliminates the requirement of use of teaspoons, small cups, and the like, for giving medications and supplements to infants and toddlers.

[0031] The prefilled medicated pacifier 100 of the present invention may be made from materials free from PVC, BPA, artificial coloring, chemical softeners, phthalates, and nitrosamines. The pacifier 100 can come in different sizes that are appropriate for infants and toddlers up to several years old. The nipple 110 can be disposable and can be thrown away after one use by removing it from the shield 102 thereby preventing any cross contamination. The shield 102 may come in a variety of colors and the exterior surface 108 may further comprise different indicia such as designs, patterns, a company logo, personalized name, customized design, or the like as per the requirements of the user.

[0032] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the pacifier device 100 of FIG. 1 in an unassembled form with the nipple detached from the shield in accordance with the disclosed architecture. As illustrated, the hole or opening 116 is formed at the center of the shield 102 and is dimensioned to receive the base 112 of the nipple 110 therethrough and the notch 118 interlocking with the shield 102. Although, in the present embodiment, the shield 102 is circular in shape, it is to be appreciated that the shield can have any shape to resemble a conventional infant pacifier. The nipple 110 is unitary and different nipples can be repeatedly inserted into a durable and reusable pacifier shield 102.

[0033] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of another embodiment of the prefilled medicated pacifier device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. In the present embodiment, the shield 302 of the pacifier device 300 has a continuous slit 304 extending from the periphery 306 to the central opening 308 of the shield 302. A ring 310 is attached to the exterior surface 312 of the shield 302 for holding the pacifier device 300 during use.

[0034] For releasably inserting the nipple 110, the base 112 is passed through the shield 102 from the interior surface 314 toward the exterior surface 312 through the hole 308 such that the notch 118 is interlocked with the shield 302. The slit 304 is used for removing, as well as inserting, the nipple 110 as the notch 118 can be dragged along the slit 304 for removing the nipple 110. All other specifications of the nipple 110 and use of the device 300 remains similar to the device 100 of other embodiments of the present invention.

[0035] FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of another embodiment of a disposable nipple used with the pacifier device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. In the present embodiment, the nipple 400 may not be prefilled with a medication but can be filled by a user for administering to an infant. The nipple 400 has a base 402 and a suckling end 404 along with a notch 406 similar to a structure of the nipple 110 described above in the disclosure. The nipple 400 has a detachable portion 408 that can be removed for filling or placing a medication or supplement inside a cavity 411 of the nipple 400. The removable portion 408 is designed to be reattached and to seal the nipple 400 such that the filled cavity 411 with medications, vitamins, or supplements does not drip or release same, except at the pre-structured orifice 410 at the suckling end 404. The detachable portion 408 can be attached and detached with a childproof threaded connection 409. The nipple 400 can be reused by a user as per the preferences of the user and can be used for any medication which is not available or pre-filled commercially. The nipple 400 has a plurality of pre-measured dosage indicators or markings 412a-n printed thereon for enabling a user to precisely measure the medication and supplements.

[0036] FIG. 5A illustrates one potential packaging arrangement for sanitized nipples used with the medication dispensing pacifier device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. In the multi-nipple packaging 502, a plurality of prefilled nipples 504 storing similar or different medications or supplements is contained therein. The packaging 502 may be made of food grade plastic and individual nipples can have an individual slot inside the packaging. The packaging 502 can have a zipper or zip-lock 506, or any other releasable fastener such as hook and loop fastener for securing and accessing the nipples 504.

[0037] FIG. 5B illustrates another potential packaging arrangement for sanitized nipples used with the medication dispensing pacifier device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. In the present embodiment, the cover 508 is in the form of a pouch for storing a single nipple shown as exemplary nipple 110. The cover 508 can be torn to release and use the nipple 110.

[0038] In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, a blue color nipple may indicate that the nipple is prefilled with a cold medicine for infants. An orange color nipple can indicate that Orajel or Numzit is prefilled in the nipple, a red color nipple can indicate baby aspirin, and a yellow color nipple can indicate a prefill of baby vitamins. It should be noted that any color can be used for coding the nipple and can correspond to a specific medication or supplement.

[0039] In one embodiment of the present invention, the base of the nipple can have a dimension from about 0.5″ to about 1″. The size of the nipple extending from the suckling end to the notch can have a length from about 1 ⅛″ to about 1 ⅞″.

[0040] FIG. 6 illustrates a flow diagram depicting steps in use of the prefilled medicated pacifier of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. Initially, a nipple prefilled with a desired medication or supplement is chosen by a user (Step 602). The nipple is coated in a specific color to indicate a medication stored in the nipple. Then, the nipple is releasably attached to the shield of the pacifier device such that the nipple is interlocked with the shield (Step 604). Thereafter, the nipple is sucked by an infant for receiving medication through an orifice at the suckling end of the nipple (Step 606). Finally, once the medication is fed to the infant, the nipple is removed and thrown away by the user and is replaced with a new nipple for administering another medication (Step 608).

[0041] Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein “dispensing pacifier device”, “pacifier device”, “device”, “prefilled medication pacifier”, “supplement dispensing pacifier device”, and “prefilled vitamin pacifier device” are interchangeable and refer to the prefilled medication pacifier device 100, 300 of the present invention.

[0042] Notwithstanding the foregoing, the prefilled medication pacifier device 100, 300 of the present invention can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that it accomplishes the above-stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that prefilled medication pacifier device 100, 300 as shown in the FIGS. are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes and shapes of the prefilled medication pacifier device 100, 300 are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the prefilled medication pacifier device 100, 300 are important design parameters for user convenience, the prefilled medication pacifier device 100, 300 may be of any size that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits the user's needs and/or preferences.

[0043] Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.

[0044] What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.