Pacifier to Prevent or Reduce Early Childhood Caries

Abstract

A pacifier for rinsing an infant's or child's mouth and teeth having an aperture extending through its front lip shield and connecting to a port near the front of the pacifier. The port preferably connects the aperture to enclosed channels or tubes preferably contained entirely within the body walls of the pacifier. The enclosed channels or tubes allow fluid communication with beveled openings located on the top side of the pacifier. The beveled openings are preferably forwardly angled to point towards the lip shield and the interior surface of the infant's or child's upper teeth when the pacifier is placed in the infant's or child's mouth so that when water is pushed through the aperture, the water is pushed through the port, the enclosed channels, and out of the beveled openings, and rinses the mouth and teeth.

Claims

1. A pacifier for rinsing an infant's or child's mouth and teeth comprising: a body having a top, a bottom, a front having a port, a back, body walls having an outer surface with beveled openings along said body walls that are angled toward said front, and enclosed channels in fluid communication between said port and said beveled openings; a lip shield mounted on said front having an aperture connected to said port, wherein said lip shield and said body walls define an inner lumen; and a nipple mounted on said back; whereby when said pacifier is placed in said mouth, and water is pushed through said aperture, said water is pushed through said port, said enclosed channels and said beveled openings, and rinses said teeth.

2. A pacifier for rinsing an infant's or child's mouth and teeth comprising: a body having a top, a bottom, a front having a port, a back, body walls having an outer surface with a first notch configured to receive said teeth along said body on said top with beveled openings in said first notch that are angled toward said front, and enclosed channels in fluid communication between said port and said beveled openings; a lip shield mounted on said front having an aperture connected to said port, wherein said lip shield and said body walls define an inner lumen; and a nipple mounted on said back; whereby when said pacifier is placed in said mouth, and water is pushed through said aperture, said water is pushed through said port, said enclosed channels and said beveled openings, and rinses said teeth.

3. A pacifier according to claim 1, further comprising a tube attached to said aperture.

4. A pacifier according to claim 2, further comprising a tube attached to said aperture.

5. A pacifier according to claim 2, wherein said bottom has a second notch configured to receive said teeth.

6. A pacifier for rinsing an infant's or child's mouth and teeth comprising: a body having a top, a bottom, a front having a port, a back, body walls having an outer surface with beveled openings along said body walls that are angled toward said front, and enclosed channels in fluid communication between said port and said beveled openings; a lip shield mounted on said front having a bulb connected to said port, wherein said lip shield and said body walls define an inner lumen; and a nipple mounted on said back; whereby when said pacifier is placed in said mouth, said bulb is filled with water, and said water is squeezed through said port, said enclosed channels and said beveled openings, said water rinses said teeth.

7. A pacifier according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6, wherein said enclosed channels are located entirely within said body walls, said port extends into said body walls and connects to said enclosed channels, and said beveled openings extend through said outer surface.

8. A pacifier according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6, wherein said enclosed channels are located entirely on said outer surface with said beveled openings on said top.

9. A pacifier according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6, wherein said enclosed channels are located entirely on said outer surface with said beveled openings on said bottom.

10. A pacifier according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6, wherein said enclosed channels are branched into a branching pattern is selected from the group consisting of: semi-circular convex pattern, semi-circular concave pattern, quaternary pattern, and quinary pattern.

11. A pacifier according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6, wherein said lip shield is integrally formed with said body.

12. A pacifier according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6, wherein said nipple is made out of silicone.

13. A baby bottle cap for rinsing an infant's or child's mouth and teeth comprising: a body having a top, a bottom, a front having a port, a back, body walls having an outer surface with beveled openings along said body walls that are angled toward said front, and enclosed channels in fluid communication between said port and said beveled openings; a nipple mounted on said back; and a rim configured to retain said cap having an aperture connected to said port, wherein said rim and said body walls define an inner lumen; whereby when said cap is placed in said mouth, and water is pushed through said aperture, said water is pushed through said port, said enclosed channels and said beveled openings, and rinses said teeth.

14. A baby bottle cap according to claim 13, wherein said enclosed channels are located entirely within said body walls, said port extends into said body walls and connects to said enclosed channels, and said beveled openings extend through said outer surface.

15. A baby bottle cap according to claim 13, wherein said enclosed channels are located entirely on said outer surface with said beveled openings on said top.

16. A baby bottle cap according to claim 13, wherein said enclosed channels are located entirely on said outer surface with said beveled openings on said bottom.

17. A baby bottle cap according to claim 13, wherein said enclosed channels are branched into a branching pattern selected from the group consisting of: semi-circular convex pattern, semi-circular concave pattern, quaternary pattern, and quinary pattern.

18. A baby bottle cap according to claim 13, wherein said nipple is made out of silicone.

19. A device for rinsing an infant's or child's mouth and teeth comprising: a retainer configured to receive said teeth having a top, a bottom, a front having a port, a back, retainer walls having an outer surface with openings along said retainer walls facing said top, and enclosed channels in fluid communication between said port and said openings; and a lip shield mounted on said front having an aperture connected to said port; whereby when said retainer is placed in said mouths, and water is pushed through said aperture, said water is pushed through said port, said enclosed channels and said openings, and rinses said teeth.

20. A device according to claim 19, wherein said enclosed channels are located entirely within said retainer walls, said port extends into said retainer walls and connects to said enclosed channels, and said beveled openings extend through said outer surface.

21. A device according to claim 19, wherein said enclosed channels are located entirely on said outer surface with said beveled openings on said top.

22. A device according to claim 19 wherein said enclosed channels are branching into a branching pattern is selected from the group consisting of: semi-circular convex pattern, semi-circular concave pattern, quaternary pattern, and quinary pattern.

23. A device according to claim 19, wherein said lip shield is integrally formed with said retainer.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0029] FIG. 1 is a perspective view from the front of a first embodiment of the invention, together with a removable plastic syringe that inserts into an aperture in the lip shield of the pacifier.

[0030] FIG. 2 is an elevational side view of the embodiment in FIG. 1.

[0031] FIG. 3 is a perspective view from the rear of the embodiment in FIG. 1, showing the beveled holes on the top of the body wall.

[0032] FIG. 4A is a front perspective view of the embodiment in FIG. 1, showing the aperture into which the removable syringe is inserted.

[0033] FIG. 4B is a detailed view of an alternate embodiment of the lip shield, in which the syringe can be inserted into external tubing attached to the lip shield, instead of an aperture in the lip shield.

[0034] FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the pacifier.

[0035] FIG. 5A is an enlarged top view of area 5A in FIG. 5.

[0036] FIG. 6 is a top plan view of a first alternative embodiment with a different branching pattern.

[0037] FIG. 7 is a top plan view of a second alternate embodiment showing the enclosed channels or tubes on the top surface of the body and with a second alternate design for the branching of the enclosed channels or tubes.

[0038] FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view from the side of the pacifier teat of FIG. 2, illustrating the direction of water movement when positive pressure is applied to the syringe.

[0039] FIG. 9 is an enlarged elevational view from the side of the pacifier, illustrating one enclosed channel and its beveled opening.

[0040] FIG. 10 is another top plan view of the pacifier, showing another alternate design for the branching of the enclosed channels or tubes.

[0041] FIG. 11 is another top plan view of the pacifier, showing still another alternate design for the branching of the enclosed channels or tubes.

[0042] FIG. 12 is a cross sectional view of the pacifier in FIG. 11 along the line 12-12, showing the enclosed channels or tubes embedded in the walls of the pacifier teat.

[0043] FIG. 13 shows another alternative embodiment of the invention in the form of a baby bottle cap.

[0044] FIG. 14A shows a side elevational view of another alternative embodiment of the invention.

[0045] FIG. 14B is an enlarged cross sectional view of FIG. 14A along the line 14B-14B.

[0046] FIG. 15 is an elevational view from the side of another alternative embodiment of the invention.

[0047] FIG. 16 is a top plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 15.

[0048] FIG. 17 is another alternative embodiment of the invention that uses a squeeze bulb instead of a syringe.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0049] The presently preferred best modes for carrying out the present invention are illustrated by way of example in FIGS. 1-16. Referring to FIGS. 1-11, shown is a first presently preferred embodiment of the invention comprising a pacifier having a body 8 with top side (top) 12, a bottom side (bottom) 14, a front side (front) 15 having a port 17 (shown in FIGS. 5, 7, and 8), a back side (back) 16, body walls 6 having an outer surface with beveled openings 7 along said body walls 6 that are angled toward the front 15, and enclosed channels 5 in fluid communication between the port 17 and the beveled openings 7. The enclosed channels or tubes 5 are preferably located entirely within the body walls as shown in FIGS. 6, 8, 9, and 12, for example, or entirely on the external surface of the body walls 6 as shown in FIG. 7. A lip shield 9 is mounted on the front 15 and has an aperture 3 that extends through the lip shield and connects to a port 17 as shown in FIG. 7. The lip shield 9 and the body walls 6 together define an inner lumen 18 (shown in FIGS. 8 and 9). A nipple 11 is mounted on the back 16, and an optional handle 2 can be mounted on the lip shield in the front 15.

[0050] A plastic syringe 1 that is filled with water is preferably inserted into an aperture 3 in the lip shield 9. The syringe 1 is a separate device that is not part of the pacifier. Its main purpose is to push water through the aperture 3, the port 17, and the enclosed channels or tubes 5 so that it can exit at beveled openings 7 located along the body walls 6 near a child's upper teeth when the device is inserted into a child's mouth. The beveled openings 7 are forwardly angled (as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9) so that water is preferably directed forwardly toward the lip shield 9 and the interior surface of a child's upper teeth. The syringe 1 preferably can be inserted into the aperture 3 or a tube 3a (shown in FIG. 4B) located in the lip shield 9. FIG. 8 illustrates the flow of water through the enclosed channels or tubes 5 and shows the beveled openings 7 in the body walls 6 angled to direct water towards the front 15. The enclosed channels or tubes 5 can either be preferably located entirely on the outer surface of the body wall 6, as shown in FIG. 7, with the beveled openings being on the top 12 or bottom 14, or entirely inside (within) the body wall 6 itself as shown in FIG. 9, for example. The enclosed channels or tubes 5 do not extend through the body walls 6 into the inner lumen 18. All the enclosed channel or tube 5 locations result in water flowing out of the body 8 to provide a rinsing effect.

[0051] There are many different branching patterns 13 that can be used with the invention. For example, FIGS. 5, 5A and 10 show a first preferred branching pattern wherein multiple distributaries break off from a single enclosed channel or tube and end in a plurality of beveled openings 7 arranged in a substantially transverse semi-circular convex configuration (“semi-circular convex pattern”). FIG. 6 depicts a second preferred branching pattern wherein a single enclosed channel or tube breaks off into four (4) distributaries, each ending in beveled openings 7 in a substantially linear configuration (“quaternary pattern”). FIG. 7 depicts a third preferred branching pattern wherein a single enclosed channel having a beveled opening has four break offs of distributaries resulting in a total of five beveled openings arranged in a substantially linear configuration (“quinary pattern”). FIG. 11 depicts a fourth preferred branching pattern wherein a single enclosed channel is connected to a plurality of beveled openings 7 arranged in a substantially semi-circular concave pattern (“semi-circular concave pattern”).

[0052] The primary goal of the presently preferred invention is to allow for the rinsing of teeth after feedings, especially at night and middle of the night. Once a child has fallen asleep during nursing or bottle use, and while keeping the child in the same semi upright position in which the child was being fed, the device is preferably inserted into the child's mouth and the syringe is inserted into the aperture in the lip shield. The syringe is thereafter slowly depressed. It is preferable to pause during the depression so that there is no overflow of water in the child's mouth. One rinse or flush with water should be sufficient to dilute milk (or other liquids) from the teeth and other oral soft tissues. For children that swallow the water from the syringe, a second rinse or flush is preferred. For children that do not swallow the water, a bib or towel should be handy to catch any water that flows out of the child's mouth, and a second rinse should not be attempted. The same protocol can be preferably repeated at each feeding given during the night.

[0053] There are many alternative designs for the present invention, with the main difference being the different branching patterns 13 of the enclosed channels or tubes 5. The branching 13 serves the main purpose of ending in locations that will cleanse (rinse) the front teeth, but may optionally have enclosed channels that wrap around to the lateral (side) or inferior (bottom) portions of the pacifier to rinse the canines, molars, or tongue (not shown).

[0054] FIG. 13 shows another presently preferred embodiment of the invention, wherein the enclosed channels or tubes 5 are applied to a baby bottle cap. The aperture is located in the rim 4, which itself is configured to receive the cap. When a baby is close to finishing his/her milk from a bottle, water can be preferably added to the bottle via a syringe attached to an aperture 3 (or tube) on the bottle to rinse the teeth.

[0055] FIG. 14A is another presently preferred embodiment of the invention containing depressions or notches 30, 31 located in the body 8, in the approximate location of the upper and lower teeth when the pacifier is inserted into a child's mouth. The upper teeth preferably fit into the notch 30 located on the top 12 of the body 8, and the lower teeth fit into the notch 31 located on the bottom 14 of the body 8. The purpose of the notches is to ensure to the predictable rinsing of both the upper and lower teeth. There are multiple preferable designs of water flow through the vertical walls of the notch. FIG. 14B depicts a close-up of the notch 30 located on the top of the pacifier body for clarity purposes and provides an example of how flushing can be accomplished through enclosed channels in the vertical walls of the notch.

[0056] FIG. 15 is another presently preferred embodiment of the invention containing a modified rinsing design, which has a mouthpiece or retainer (mold) 32 rather than a pacifier nipple. The device uses the same concept of flushing with water, but is a better design for children ages 3 and older because more primary teeth are present at those ages. The retainer walls 34 preferably contain enclosed channels 5 which end in openings 36. The openings 36 are not beveled as in the other embodiments, but rather the openings face the top of the device. FIG. 16 is a top plan view of FIG. 15.

[0057] FIG. 17 is another presently preferred embodiment of the invention that uses a pacifier with a squeeze bulb 38, which can be prefilled with water by removing a plastic cap 40 on its end. When the bulb is squeezed, it will perform in the same manner as the syringe in other preferred embodiments.

[0058] While the present invention has been disclosed in connection with the presently preferred embodiments described herein, it should be understood that there may be other embodiments which fall within this spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims. Accordingly, no limitations are to be implied or inferred in this invention except as specifically and as explicitly set forth in the claims.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0059] This invention can be used whenever it is necessary or desirable to rinse a child's teeth and mouth after nursing or feeding to avoid tooth decay.