Pacifier which helps wean toddlers off pacifiers

Abstract

A new and improved pacifier provides bristle like structures which discourages continued use of the pacifier by a child of appropriate age.

Claims

1. A pacifier, intended for use with infants of suitable age to wean a child from continued pacifier use without anger, anxiety or stress, comprising: a) a teat structure for allowing the child to suck upon it; b) a mouth shield arranged generally perpendicularly to the teat and joined therewith so as to be generally inseparable therefrom, said mouth shield defining an outermost edge of the pacifier, said mouth shield comprising apertures extending through said mouth shield, said apertures being disposed radially outward from the teat structure; and c) a flexible sheet having bristle structures projecting therefrom, said bristle structures covering an entire surface of said mouth shield from an outermost edge of the mouth shield to a position adjacent the teat, wherein said flexible sheet comprises apertures extending through said flexible sheet, wherein the apertures of the mouth shield are axially aligned with said apertures of the flexible sheet, wherein said bristle structures project in the same direction as the teat to slightly irritate the face and mouth of the child during use thereby discouraging continued use of the pacifier.

2. The pacifier of claim 1, wherein said bristle structures are tooth brush bristles.

3. The pacifier of claim 1, including an attached handle to prevent the teat and mouth shield from being dislodged relative to each other.

4. A pacifier, intended for use with infants of suitable age to wean a child from continued pacifier use without anger, anxiety or stress, comprising: a) a teat structure for allowing the child to suck upon it; b) a mouth shield arranged generally perpendicularly to the teat and joined therewith so as to be generally inseparable therefrom, said mouth shield having an outermost edge defining an outermost edge of the pacifier, said mouth shield comprising apertures extending through said mouth shield, said apertures being disposed radially outward from the teat structure; and c) a flexible sheet having bristle structures projecting from and covering an entire surface of the flexible sheet, said flexible sheet configured to cover an entire surface of the mouth shield from the outermost edge of the mouth shield to a position adjacent the teat, and d) a bonding agent on a surface of said flexible sheet opposite the surface having said bristle structures such that the flexible sheet is bondable to a surface of the mouth shield on the side of the mouth shield through which the teat projects for a child's gratification, wherein the flexible sheet comprises apertures extending through said flexible sheet, wherein the apertures of the mouth shield are axially aligned with said apertures of said flexible sheet.

5. The pacifier of claim 4, wherein the bristle structures on the flexible sheet project in the same direction as the axis of the teal when bonded to the mouth shield.

6. The pacifier of claim 5 including an attached handle to prevent the teat and mouth shield from being dislodged relative to each other.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pacifier in accordance with the present invention;

(2) FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a pacifier in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(3) The present invention relates to an improved pacifier which when properly utilized will wean a child off of pacifier use without creating excessive anger, anxiety or upset. Accordingly, a pacifier in accordance with the present invention shown in FIG. 1, is generally designated as 10, is shown in perspective view. The pacifier 10 includes a teat 12, which as shown in the drawing is formed to simulate the nipple on a bottle. Those skilled in the art will understand that the form of the teat 12 can be as that shown or take the form of the mother's nipple. The form of the teat is dependent upon paternal and child preference and local custom.

(4) Also shown in FIG. 1, the pacifier in the present invention includes mouth shield 14. The mouth shield 14, although slightly curved as shown in FIG. 1 to conform to the general contour of a baby's face, is arranged generally perpendicular to the axis of the teat 12. As can be seen from the drawing, the teat 12 extends through an aperture 16, generally centrally located in mouth shield 14, to project below the bottom surface of the mouth shield 14. The mouth shield 14 and the teat 12 are suitably affixed to each other so as to remain in stable immovable position relative to each other.

(5) Also, as is present in many pacifiers, a handle 18 is attached to the lower end of teat 12 to prevent the baby from choking on the teat should it be dislodged from mouth shield 14. As can be seen, a suitable sturdy structure for pacifying babies is achieved in the pacifier 10 of the present invention.

(6) Also as shown in FIG. 1, bristles 20 are affixed to the upper surface of the mouth shield so as to project along axes generally parallel with the centerline of the teat 12. The bristles 20 cover the entire upper surface of the mouth shield from an outer edge 15 to immediately adjacent to the teat 12. Arranged in this fashion, the bristles 20 serve as a mild irritant to the face and mouth of the child during utilization of the pacifier by the child and thus discourage continued use.

(7) FIG. 2 shows an alternative use of the present invention, where in the pacifier generally designated in 110 is shown as a standard Prior Art construction. The pacifier includes a teat 112, a mouth shield 114 and handle 118. The teat 112 projects through mouth shield 114 through aperture 116 just as in the device of FIG. 1. However, bristles 120 are fixed to a flexible sheet or applique 122 having aperture 216 centrally located in flexible sheet 122 to allow slip fit of the flexible sheet 122 over teat 112. As in the earlier embodiment, the bristles 120 cover the entire surface of the flexible sheet or applique 122, as well as, around the aperture 216. The underside of flexible sheet 122 is provided with a suitable fastener such as glue or another suitable cementing agent so that flexible sheet 122 can be affixed to the upper surface of mouth shield 114. As illustrated in FIG. 2, when the flexible sheet or applique 122 is affixed to the upper surface of the mouth shield 114, the bristles 120 cover the entire upper surface from an outer edge 115 to immediately adjacent to the teat 122.

(8) It should be obvious that the device of FIG. 2 can be utilized as an alternative means for constructing the device of FIG. 1. The device of FIG. 2 can be sold and marketed as a two piece arrangement allowing for standard utilization of pacifier 110 until the appropriate time has arrived to wean the child from further pacifier use. At that time flexible sheet 122 can be affixed in the manner described.

(9) Both embodiments illustrated with FIG. 1. and FIG. 2. are provided with apertures 124, intended to allow drainage of during use by the child. This provision is intended for sanitation and hygiene purposes.

(10) While we have described in the detailed description of the preferred embodiments, the best known mode of making and practicing the present invention, nothing herein should be construed to limit the invention herein except as set forth in the following claims.