TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to a pacifier, or dummy, for a baby or an infant. The invention also relates to a drinking teat for a baby or infant.

BACKGROUND

Many pacifiers and dummies are configured to have a large resilient teat for infants to suckle and a narrow neck connecting the teat to the front shield. The teat itself is typically a round or oval balloon shape that is hollow and resilient, to provide some resistance to deformation in the mouth of the infant, while the narrow neck can assist the infant to get purchase on the teat and thereby assist in retaining the pacifier in the mouth.

A pacifier is a substitute for breast feeding, providing a mother some well-earned relief while providing the infant a comfortable distraction until the next feed is due. However, over-use of pacifiers can affect the growth and formation of the upper and lower jaw areas, particularly the teeth and gums of an infant which may then require remedial orthodontic treatment as the infant grows-up.

The teat of a pacifier is typically symmetrical as often is the shield, the teat providing a sucking distraction for the infant when not feeding or breast-feeding. The shield sits vertically oriented to the infant’s face and provides a means for holding or securing the pacifier while preventing swallowing of the teat. With the infant learning to hold the pacifier in the mouth by closing or clamping their gums around the teat, a habit of repetitively compressing the teat against the palate and front gums can develop which presents an unwelcome development while a mother is still breast-feeding.

Furthermore, these actions can effect the development of the infant’s gums and teeth in a negative manner.

The present invention was conceived with these shortcomings in mind.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can also be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, a limited number of the exemplary methods and materials are described herein.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In broad terms, the invention provides a pacifier comprising a resilient body protruding distally from a shield to which the resilient body is attached at a proximal portion of the resilient body wherein a distal portion of the resilient body is substantially closed, the resilient body being configured to be received in an infant’s mouth; wherein an upper surface of the resilient body intermediate of the proximal and distal portions is provided with a curved portion configured to conform to an infant’s palate; and a lower surface of the resilient body provides a recessed pocket intermediate of the proximal and distal portions, the recessed pocket being configured to receive an infant’s tongue. The body may be hollow.

The shield may be directly engaged with the upper and lower surfaces of the proximal portion of the body. The body may be moulded onto to over-moulded upon the shield.

An upper surface of the resilient body intermediate of the proximal and distal portions may be provided with an indent configured to receive an infant’s upper jaw.

The proximal portion of the resilient body may narrow in breadth to form a neck of the resilient body. The proximal portion of the resilient body may remain substantially constant in depth.

The recessed pocket of the lower surface may be bounded by a proximal ridge. The proximal ridge allows the pacifier to rest on the infant’s lower gums, the gums located between the proximal ridge and the shield. The recessed pocket in the lower surface may be bounded by a distal ridge. The distal ridge forms an anchor for the median of the infant’s tongue.

The proximal and distal ridges may be separated by a distal wall and a proximal wall, that together define an anchor to locate the infant’s tongue, in use. The distal wall and the proximal wall may be inclined to one another so as to form the recessed pocket in the lower surface of the body. The proximal wall may be oriented parallel to the shield and provides an engagement surface to an infant’s tongue. The engagement surface receives the tip of the infant’s tongue and may promote movement that is not anti-breastfeeding. The proximal wall may be oriented substantially parallel to the shield and provide an engagement surface to an infant’s tongue.

The distal wall may protrude outwardly from the lower surface of the body and provide an anchor to be received in the median of an infant’s tongue. The distal wall in combination with the recessed pocket of the lower surface of the body may assist is calming the infant’s urge to suck.

The distal ridge may define a protruding apex of the lower surface of the body. The apex of the lower surface may have a v-shaped profile when viewed in at least one of a side view and a rear view.

The body may further comprise a rounded tip having a breadth substantially similar to a breadth of the teat proximate the shield.

The pacifier may further comprise a lower gum support on the lower surface of the body between the proximal ridge and the shield.

The pacifier may further comprise an upper gum support on the upper surface of the body between the curved portion and the shield.

The upper gum support and lower gum support in combination may assist an infant to balance the pacifier in the mouth and retain the pacifier without clamping. Meanwhile, the tongue is directed into the recessed pocket in the lower surface of the body, and thus diverted from pushing upwards and placing additional pressure on the upper gums.

The upper surface of the resilient body intermediate of the proximal and distal ends may provide a curved indent configured to receive the infant’s upper jaw. In one embodiment, there is provided a pacifier comprising a hollow, resilient body protruding distally from a shield to which the resilient body is attached at a proximal end of the resilient body wherein a distal end of the resilient body is substantially closed, the resilient body being configured to be received in an infant’s mouth; wherein an upper surface of the resilient body intermediate of the proximal and distal ends is provided with a curved indent configured to receive an infant’s upper jaw; and a lower surface having a recessed pocket provided in an intermediate portion of the lower surface the recessed pocket configured to receive an infant’s tongue.

The invention also provides a drinking teat comprising a hollow, resilient body protruding distally from a shield to which the resilient body is attached at a proximal portion of the resilient body wherein a distal portion of the resilient body is substantially closed, the resilient body being configured to be received in an infant’s mouth; wherein an upper surface of the resilient body intermediate of the proximal and distal portions is provided with a curved portion configured to conform to an infant’s palate; and a lower surface of the resilient body provides a recessed pocket intermediate of the proximal and distal portions, the recessed pocket being configured to receive an infant’s tongue.

In one embodiment, there is provided a pacifier comprising a resilient body protruding distally from an attachment end at a proximal end of the resilient body, wherein the attachment end is configured to be attached to a collar for attaching to a drinking bottle, and a distal end of the resilient body is substantially closed but for at least one aperture through which fluid can flow, the resilient body being configured to be received in an infant’s mouth; wherein an upper surface of the resilient body intermediate of the proximal and distal ends is provided with a curved indent configured to receive an infant’s upper jaw; and a lower surface having a recessed pocket provided in an intermediate portion of the lower surface and is configured to receive an infant’s tongue. The body may be hollow.

In one embodiment, there is provided a pacifier, comprising; a resilient body having an upper surface and a lower surface, the upper and lower surfaces spaced apart to urge an infant’s mouth towards an open position in use, the resilient body having a distal, an intermediate and a proximal portion; and a shield engaged with the proximal portion of the body, wherein an upper surface of the distal portion provides a protruding tip directed upwardly and toward the palate of the infant, the tip transitioning steeply towards an indent in the intermediate portion of the upper surface upon which the infant’s upper front jaw can lie, and a lower surface of the resilient body having a recessed pocket that extends from the distal portion, through the intermediate portion and to the proximal portion of the body, the pocket configured to receive an infant’s tongue therein to direct pressure exerted by the tongue away from the upper front jaw. The shield may be directly engaged with the upper and lower surfaces of the proximal portion of the body. The body may be moulded onto to over-moulded upon the shield.

The pacifier described herein is intended to soothe an infant's strong feeding reflex between feeds.

In one advantageous embodiment, the pacifier is configured to hold the infant’s mouth in an open configuration, to minimise the clamping action that can occur with known pacifiers, and to discourage the habit that can be learnt of repetitively applying pressure against the upper front jaw, by keeping the infant’s lips apart. This is effected by keeping the upper and lower surfaces of the teat spaced apart from each other and not narrowing the neck (in this direction) of the teat where the teat contacts the shield.

The lower surface of the resilient body may extend downwardly from the distal to the proximal portion, and away from the infant’s upper jaw. The resilient body may further comprise side portions that extend between the upper and lower surfaces, the side portions being rounded to smoothly transition between the upper and lower surfaces to provide a rounded sealing surface for contact with the infant’s lips, in use. The rounded sealing surface may also contact the infant’s gums and palate, in use, to form the sealing surface.

The upper and lower surfaces of the resilient body may continuously increase in width from the tip to the shield to provide a triangular-form in each of a top view and a bottom view, having a rounded tip.

The upper and lower surfaces of the resilient body, in the proximal portion, may be spaced apart from one another by 3mm-20mm and more preferably by 5mm-10mm.

The distal, upper surface of the teat is shaped to conform to the palate of an infant and may assist in retaining the pacifier in the infant’s mouth. Towards a proximal portion of the upper surface an indent is provided to receive and cradle the upper jaw of the infant. A tapering form around the palate conforming portion of the upper surface may provide an upper lip rest feature, such that the upper lips are held on the upper lip rest while the upper jaw descends into the indent. This feature may assist the infant in retaining the pacifier, as the indent provides a form of anchor. The anchor may promote a more relaxed hold on the dummy as compared to a clamping or chewing motion.

In some embodiments, the resilient body may provide an upper lip rest on the upper surface of the body in the proximal portion of the teat, the upper lip rest located on opposing sides of the indent.

The indent, in combination with the upper lip rest, may position the infant’s upper jaw into the indent and below the level of the upper lips to configure an anchor for the pacifier, in use.

Keeping the infant’s lips in a wider, open configuration also creates more of a cavity below the teat for the infant’s tongue to nestle into. This cavity encourages and redirects the tongue away from surfaces of the teat that would typically otherwise apply direct pressure onto the upper jaw of the infant, and can thereby reduce the amount of outward pressure on the upper jaw that thumb-sucking and pacifiers can cause.

When an infant is not actively sucking the teat of the pacifier, the infant’s tongue will rest against the recessed pocket in the lower surface of the resilient body, as the infant’s mouth is being held in an open configuration. The tongue resting in the pocket will direct tongue pressure away from the upper jaw. When actively sucking, the teat will deform and may thereby transfer some pressure towards the upper jaw. However, the active sucking is not continuous as can occur if the infant’s lips are closed.

The recessed pocket may have a peripheral shoulder. The shoulder may have a rounded profile. The shoulder may continuously bound the recessed pocket. The shoulder may only partially bound the recessed pocket.

In some embodiments the recessed pocket may have a continuous inner wall, such that a tongue inserted into the recessed pocket will be restrained on opposing sides by two opposing portions of the continuous inner wall. The inner wall may have a variable depth, such that the depth of the inner wall increases with distance towards the proximate portion of the resilient body, having a maximum depth closest to the shield.

The shoulder adjacent the maximum depth of the inner wall may form a proximal ridge. The shoulder adjacent a minimum depth of the inner wall may form a distal ridge, that is oriented to face the proximal ridge.

In some embodiments, the inner wall immediately adjacent the proximal ridge may provide a rest against which the infant’s tongue can lie. The inner wall immediately adjacent the distal ridge may provide a guide for guiding the infant’s tongue into the recessed pocket. The lower surface of the proximal portion of the body may provide a lower lip rest adjacent the proximal ridge.

In some embodiments, the shoulder may increase in width across the lower surface of the resilient body as the shoulder extends towards the proximal portion of the lower surface.

The upper surface of the resilient body may be convexly contoured from the protruding tip to the indent to conform to a palate of an infant.

In one embodiment, the lower portion of the shield is angled steeply downwards away from the teat and away from the infant’s face. This can be seen prominently in side views of the pacifier. Allowing the lower lip to sit in a relaxed, natural position promotes a relaxed hold on the dummy. This is in contrast to a flat shield that may push against the infant’s lower lip area and/or pull away from the infant’s upper lip area, again placing unwanted pressure on the upper jaw when retaining the pacifier.

In some embodiments, the shield may comprise an upper member configured to sit adjacent the infant’s upper lips, and a lower member configured to sit adjacent the infant’s lower lip, in use. The lower member may have a greater area than an area of the upper member. The lower member, in some embodiments, may extend further from the lower surface of the resilient body than the upper member extends from the upper surface of the resilient body.

In use, the lower member of the pacifier may be angled away from the infant’s upper jaw.

In some embodiments, the shield may be curved to conform to the curvature of the infant’s mouth in at least one direction.

In one aspect, the invention provides a pacifier comprising a hollow, resilient body protruding distally from a shield to which the resilient body is attached at a proximal end of the resilient body wherein a distal end of the resilient body is substantially closed, the resilient body being configured to be received in an infant’s mouth; wherein an upper surface of the resilient body intermediate of the proximal and distal ends may be provided with a curved indent configured to receive an infant’s upper jaw; and a lower surface having a recessed pocket provided in an intermediate portion of the lower surface and is configured to receive an infant’s tongue therein to mitigate pressure exerted by the tongue toward the front of the infant’s jaws.

The resilient body has a wall that wraps around the body defining side walls and a front wall separating the upper and lower surfaces. In one embodiment the closed distal end of the resilient body is defined by the front wall, which meets the upper surface at a tip.

The recessed pocket on the lower surface may be defined on a proximal side thereof by a prominent ridge between the recessed pocket and proximal end of the lower surface.

Where the resilient body attaches to the shield, the circumference of the resilient body at the proximal end may be relatively large to space an infant’s lips.

The distal end of the resilient body is substantially closed in that there is a front wall that substantially covers the distal end of the body. However, another aspect of the inventive concept of the pacifier could apply to a drinking teat for infants. In this case the distal end of the resilient body while being substantially closed will have one or more small apertures through which fluid can flow so to function as a drinking teat attachable to a bottle.

In accordance with another aspect, the invention provides a drinking teat comprising a hollow, resilient body protruding distally from an attachment end at a proximal end of the resilient body, wherein the attachment end is configured to be attached to a collar for attaching to a drinking bottle, and a distal end of the resilient body is substantially closed but for at least one aperture through which fluid can flow, the resilient body being configured to be received in an infant’s mouth; wherein an upper surface of the resilient body intermediate of the proximal and distal ends is provided with a curved indent configured to receive an infant’s upper jaw; and a lower surface having a recessed pocket provided in an intermediate portion of the lower surface and is configured to receive an infant’s tongue.

Simply holding the infant’s lips in a more open configuration without alternative anchoring features may increase the difficulty for the infant to retain the pacifier.

However, with the addition of alternative anchor features, promoting a more open mouth can reduce the focus of the tip of the tongue towards the upper front jaw, reducing the potential for gum and dental malformation.

Various features, aspects, and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following description of embodiments of the invention, along with the accompanying drawings in which like numerals represent like components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

Figure 1 is a top view of a pacifier according to an embodiment of the invention having an intra-oral body and an extra-oral shield, the body configured to provide a broad-based, triangular form when viewed in top view; and

Figure 2 is a bottom view of the pacifier of Figure 1 , illustrating a recessed pocket formed in the lingual (lower) surface of the intra-oral body;

Figure 3 is a rear view of the pacifier of Figure 1 , illustrating an extra-oral shield coupled to the intra-oral body of the pacifier; Figure 4 is a perspective view of the pacifier of Figure 1 , illustrating an orientation angle of the shield angled from the vertical to bring an upper member of the shield in close proximity to an infant’s upper lip, while the lower member of the shield extends outwardly and away from the infant’s lower lip;

Figure 5 is a left side view of the pacifier of Figure 1 , illustrating the orientation of the shield relative to the intra-oral body

Figure 6 is a right-side view of the pacifier of Figure 1 , illustrating a first plane that superimposes a central plane over the intra-oral body of the pacifier, and a second plane that defines the angle or orientation of the shield, when the pacifier is in use;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of an underside of the pacifier of Figure 1 , illustrating a peripheral shoulder to the recessed pocket; and

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the pacifier of Figure 1 , illustrating a protruding tip of the body that extends upwardly and into the mouth of the infant, in use;

Figure 9 is a cross-section of the pacifier of Figure 1 , taken through line A-A from Figure 3;

Figure 10 is a top view of a pacifier according to a second aspect of the invention, having an intra-oral body and an extra-oral shield, the body configured to provide a bulbous, rounded tip when viewed in a top view or side view;

Figure 1 1 is a rear view of the pacifier of Figure 10, illustrating a V-shaped profile to the bottom surface of the intra-oral body, when viewed rear on;

Figure 12A is an underside view of the pacifier of Figure 10, illustrating a pocket in the underside of the body partially surrounded by an arcuate distal ridge and an arcuate proximal ridge;

Figure 12B is a partial view of Figure 12A, illustrating an enlarged view of the underside view of the pacifier body and overlaying contour lines to show the contours of the arcuate distal ridge and the arcuate proximal ridge;

Figure 13 is a side view of the pacifier of Figure 10, illustrating a proximal inner wall of the proximal ridge, providing a hooking feature for the median of an infant’s tongue;

Figure 14 is a front view of the pacifier of Figure 10, looking onto the shield of the pacifier with the body or teat extending through a central aperture thereof;

Figure 15 is a cross-sectional view along the centre line B-B of Figure 1 1 , illustrating the proximal inner wall of the proximal ridge along the underside of the body; Figure 16 is a rear view of the pacifier of Figure 10, illustrating the location of cross-sectional planes, C-C, D-D, and E-E;

Figure 16A is a cross-sectional view along the line C-C of Figure 1 1 , illustrating the varying profile along the underside of the body;

Figure 16B is a cross-sectional view along the line D-D of Figure 1 1 , illustrating the varying profile along the underside of the body;

Figure 16C is a cross-sectional view along the line E-E of Figure 1 1 , illustrating the varying profile along the underside of the body;

Figure 17A is a rear view of the pacifier of Figure 10, illustrating a transverse centreline sectional plane F-F that traverses the body and the shield;

Figure 17B is a cross-sectional view along the centre line F-F of Figure 17A, illustrating a neck of the body proximate the shield and a narrowing in the wall thickness of the body towards the distal tip of the body;

Figure 18 is a top view of the pacifier of Figure 10, illustrating the location of cross-sectional planes, G-G, H-H, l-l, J-J, K-K and L-L;

Figure 18A is a cross-sectional view along the line G-G of Figure 18, illustrating the varying profile along the length of the body from proximate the shield towards the distal tip;

Figure 18B is a cross-sectional view along the line H-H of Figure 18, illustrating the varying profile along the length of the body from proximate the shield towards the distal tip;

Figure 18C is a cross-sectional view along the line l-l of Figure 18, illustrating the varying profile along the length of the body from proximate the shield towards the distal tip;

Figure 18D is a cross-sectional view along the line J-J of Figure 18, illustrating the varying profile along the length of the body from proximate the shield towards the distal tip;

Figure 18E is a cross-sectional view along the line K-K of Figure 18, illustrating the varying profile along the length of the body from proximate the shield towards the distal tip; and

Figure 18F is a cross-sectional view along the line L-L of Figure 18, illustrating the varying profile along the length of the body from proximate the shield towards the distal tip. The invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which various embodiments, although not the only possible embodiments, of the invention are shown. The invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments described below.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While the invention is described herein in relation to a pacifier, the invention is also applicable to be modified to form a drinking mouthpiece or other alternative to a pacifier.

The following terms“top view”,“bottom view”,“front view”,“side view”, are understood herein to refer to the pacifier in use in the mouth of an infant. For example, the front view is defined as looking directly at the pacifier in the mouth of an infant.

Furthermore, the terms“proximal” and“distal” are understood herein to refer to the proximity of features of the body or teat relative to the shield.

It is understood that the term“infant” is used herein to refer to babies and young children, including infants that may have already grown teeth.

The invention is described herein in reference to a dummy or pacifier; however, it is further contemplated that the features and configuration of the body or teat as described herein can also be used to form a drinking teat or drinking mouthpiece, that can be attached to a bottle, for ease of feeding. In contrast to the pacifier, the body of the drinking teat is not connected to a shield but instead to a flange arrangement (not shown) for engaging with the mouth of a bottle. Additionally, the tip of the teat comprises an aperture therethrough to allow for the drinking of fluids through the body.

With reference to Figures 1 to 8, there is illustrated a pacifier 1 for an infant, comprising: a resilient body 5 having an upper surface 6 and a lower surface 8, the upper and lower surfaces spaced apart to urge the infant’s mouth towards an open position in use, the resilient body having a distal 2, an intermediate 3 and a proximal portion 4; and a shield 10 engaged with the upper 6 and lower surfaces 8 of the proximal portion 4 of the body 5, wherein an upper surface 6 of the distal portion 2 provides a protruding tip 24 directed upwardly and toward a palate of the infant, the tip 24 transitioning steeply towards an indent 9 in the intermediate portion 3 of the upper surface 6 upon which the infant’s upper front jaw can lie, and a lower surface 8 of the resilient body 5 having a recessed pocket 20 that extends from the distal portion 2, through the intermediate portion 3 and to the proximal portion 4 of the body, the pocket 20 having a bounding shoulder 22 which guides the infant’s tongue into the recessed pocket 20 thereby directing pressure exerted by the infant’s tongue away from the upper front jaw.

The shield

The shield 10 comprises an upper member 1 1 and a lower member 12. While convenient to describe the two separate members in terms of their different functions, the two members are contemplated to be integrally formed.

The teat 5 can be made from a silicone material. The shield 10 is made from a harder material than that of the body, such as a plastic or a harder silicone or a rubber material. The shield 10 can be rigid in some embodiments. However, in some embodiments, the shield may be resilient such that some flexure is allowed in the overall shield 10.

In some embodiments the shield 10 can be injection moulded from a hard plastic and the resilient body, or teat 5, can be over-moulded in a soft or hard plastic, rubber or silicone material or another similar or new material.

Preferable materials for both the shield 10 and the teat 5 are BPA free, antibacterial and non-porous.

The upper member of the shield 1 1 is smaller in area that that of the lower member 12. The upper shield 1 1 has an M-shaped profiled, such that the midpoint of the upper member 1 1 is lower than the two opposing sides, roughly conforming to the shape of an infant’s lips.

The lower member 12 is configured to have a curbed outer periphery, extending across the entire width of the pacifier 1. Between the upper and lower members of the shield 10 are a pair of side members 7 on opposing sides of shield which transition between the upper member 1 1 and the lower member 12.

The side members 7 are rounded and do not present any sharp edges or projections. The side members 7 are preferably rounded when viewed from the front, the sides and the top and bottom views of the pacifier 1 .

Apertures 14 is located in each of the side members 7, illustrated in Figures 3 and 4.

These apertures 14 provide mounting points for attaching the pacifier.

The shield 10 has an exterior face 16 that is directed away from the infant, in use. The exterior face 16 provides a handle 13.

The handle 13 is rounded. The handle 13 in this embodiment provides a hole 15 therein. The handle 13 is sufficiently large in diameter to allow the infant or a parent to grip the handle 13. The hole 15 can provides an attachment point for the pacifier 1.

The shield 10 has an interior face 18, or labial face, that is directed towards the lips of the infant, in use. The interior face 18 of the upper member 1 1 is placed adjacent the infant’s upper lip, in use and interior face 18 of the lower member 12 is placed adjacent the infant’s lower lip, in use.

Each of the upper and lower members of the interior face 18 of the shield 10 are configured to sit at an inclined angle to the infant’s face, with the lower member 12 extending downwardly and away from the infant’s lower lips at an angle of inclination greater than that of the upper member 1 1.

Referring specifically to Figure 6, there is illustrated three planes P1 , P2 and P3, superimposed on a side view of the pacifier 1 . The planes P2 and P3 indicate the respective inclination of the lower and upper shield members in relation to a plane P1 oriented along a centre line of the teat 5.

Plane P1 roughly bisects the teat 5 and illustrates the generally upwardly projecting teat 5 as the teat extends from the shield 10 towards the protruding tip 24. Plane P2 is oriented at an angle a to plane P1 . Plane P2 defines the inclination at which the lower shield 12 extends away from the teat 5. This is the surface against which the infant’s lower lip will rest, in use. Moving this surface of the lower shield 12 away from the infant’s lower lip may assist in creating a relaxed hold on the pacifier 1 , which may relieve pressure from the upper jaw of the infant.

Plane P3 is oriented at an angle Q to plane P1. Plane P3 defines the inclination at which the upper shield 1 1 extends away from the teat 5.

The angle Q is greater than the angle a.

The upper member 1 1 being less steeply inclined than that of the lower member 12 assists the infant in getting purchase on the pacifier 1 , when the protruding tip 24 of the teat 5 extends upwardly toward the palate, thereby positioning the upper jaw of the infant into the indent 9 of the teat 5, as illustrated in Figure 6.

The upper 1 1 and lower members 12 are also curved when viewed in a top view, as shown in Figure 1. This curvature is symmetrical across the shield 10 and allows the shield to better conform to the curves of the infant’s face, in use.

The resilient body

The body, or teat 5, is symmetrical from right to left but is asymmetrical from top to bottom, as is a human mouth.

The teat 5 provides an upper surface 6 that faces the palate of the infant in use, and a lower surface 8 that faces the tongue of the infant in use. The upper surface 6 and the lower surface 8 have different roles to play in the pacifier 1. Both surfaces 6, 8 provide anchor points to assist the infant in retaining the pacifier 1 , while the infant’s mouth is held in a partially open position. This may reduce the focus of the tip of the infant’s tongue towards the upper front jaw.

Figures 2 and 3 illustrate the depth D and breadth B of the proximal portion 4 of the teat 5. There is no narrowing of the teat 5 as it extends from tip 24 to shield 10, when viewed from below, as illustrated in Figure 2. In Figure 1 , the upper surface 6 of the teat 5 is also shown to have a triangular outer profile, with a rounded, central tip 24. As the upper surface 6 extends though the intermediate portion 3 and into the proximal portion 4, the upper surface 6 increases steadily in breadth B, extending across 60% or more of the width W of the interior face 18 of the shield 10.

The breadth B of the teat 5 is illustrated in Figure 2, as the breadth across the opposing side walls of the teat 5 when viewed in plan (or top view).

The width W of the pacifier 1 is illustrated in Figure 2, as the width across the pacifier 1 , as measured across the opposing sides 7 of the shield 10.

The depth D of the teat 5 is illustrated in Figure 3, as the depth between the upper 6 and lower 8 surfaces of the teat 5.

The length L of the teat 5 is illustrated in Figure 9, and shown to be the length of the teat 5 measured from the inner surface 18 of the shield 10 where it connects to the teat 5, to the tip 24 at the distal end 2 of the teat 5.

Figure 3 illustrates the separation between the upper surface 6 and the lower surface 8, and effectively the depth D of the side walls 38 of the teat 5.

The upper 6 and lower surfaces 8 can be separated by 2mm, 5mm, 10mm, 12mm, 14mm, 16mm or 20mm to influence the infant to adopt an open mouth around the pacifier 1 , in use. It is understood by the skilled person, that babies of different sizes and different ages will need a pacifier 1 of proportionate and increasing dimensions.

The side walls 38 are rounded and provide a smooth transition between the upper 6 and lower surfaces 8 of the teat 5, to assist the infant’s lips in forming a seal around the teat 5.

An upper lip rest 36 is configured on the upper surface 6 of the teat for the upper lip of the infant to lie upon, illustrated in Figure 5. The upper lip rest 36 is located in the proximal portion 4 of the upper surface 6, immediately adjacent the interior face 18 of the upper member 1 1 of the shield 10. The upper lip rest 36 comprises a pair of rounded shoulders disposed on opposing sides of the indent9. The infant’s lips are guided onto the upper lip rest 36 as the teat 5 is inserted into their mouth, and the protruding tip 24 is guided upwardly along the infant’s palate.

The distal portion 2 and intermediate portion 3 of the upper surface 6 are convexly contoured, providing a palate contacting surface 28 that conforms to the convex curves of the infant’s palate. The palate contacting surface 28 may assist the infant in retaining the pacifier 1 , in use, by providing an anchor point on the pacifier 1.

The palate contacting surface 28 protrudes from the upper surface 6 of the teat 5 then steeply contours into the upper surface towards the proximate portion 4, forming an indent 9 that is concavely recessed into the upper surface 6 in proximate portion 4 of the teat 5. The indent 9 is configured to receive and support the upper jaw of the infant and define a further anchor point to assist in retaining the pacifier 1 in the mouth. The upper lips of the infant are held on the upper lip rest 36 while the upper jaw extends further into the indent 9, assisting the infant to form a relaxed hold on the pacifier 1.

The lower surface 8 (also referred to as the lingual surface) of the teat 5 is contoured to work with the infant’s tongue in anchoring the pacifier 1 and also to direct the pressure applied to the pacifier 1 from the tongue away from the upper jaw of the infant.

Figure 2 illustrates a toroidal form on the lower surface 8 of the teat 5. The toroid is bounded by a shoulder 22 encircling a deep, recessed pocket 20. Although the shoulder 22 is illustrated to fully encircle the pocket 20, the shoulder 22 can be formed in discrete sections around the pocket 20 or provided as a pair of opposing, separate front, and a rear, shoulder formations (not illustrated).

The shoulder 22 is rounded and transitions the lower surface 8 of the teat into the pocket 20 creating a side wall 25 that surrounds the pocket 20.

The depth of the pocket 20 increases from the distal portion 2 towards the intermediate 3 and proximal portions 4 of the lower surface 8, as illustrated in the section of Figure 9 and the underside view of Figure 2. Accordingly, a distal potion 26 of the inner wall 25 has a lesser depth than a depth of a proximal portion 27 of the inner wall 25. The increasing wall depth around the pocket 20 creates a distal ridge 32 and a deeper, proximal ridge 34, as illustrated in Figures 3, 5 and 7. When the pacifier 1 is inserted into the infant’s mouth, the infant’s tongue is directed towards the pocket 20 and the tip of the tongue lies against the proximal portion 27 of the inner wall, the proximal ridge 34 preventing the tongue from extending further forwards toward the shield 10. The infant’s lower lip is then positioned adjacent a lower lip rest 30 positioned between the interior face 18 of the lower member 12 of the shield 10 and the proximal ridge 34.

The proximal ridge 34 and the distal ridges 32 are on opposing sides of the inner wall 25 and work together to hold the pacifier 1 in the mouth. The proximal ridge 34 and the distal ridge 32 also assist in reducing, or at least redirecting, the pressure applied by the tip of the infant’s tongue away from the front jaw.

In a second aspect of the invention there is provided a further embodiment of a pacifier 101 .

With reference to Figures 10 to 19, there is illustrated a pacifier 101 for an infant, comprising: a resilient body 105 protruding distally from a shield 1 10 to which the resilient body is attached at a proximal portion 104 of the resilient body wherein a distal portion 102 of the resilient body is substantially closed, the resilient body 105 being configured to be received in an infant’s mouth; wherein an upper surface 106 of the resilient body intermediate of the proximal end 104 and distal end 102 is provided with a curved portion 106 configured to conform to an infant’s palate; and a lower surface 108 having a recessed pocket 120 provided in an intermediate portion 103 of the lower surface 108 and is configured to receive an infant’s tongue.

The pocket 120 on the tongue side of the body 105 helps to hold the pacifier 101 in the infant's mouth. Furthermore, the pocket 120 may assist in avoiding clamping of the infant’s jaws. The pocket 120 may encourage calm in the infant. Additionally, the pocket 120 may support movement that is not anti-breastfeeding: (1 ) the forward bulge & lip of the forward end of the pocket (2) the pocket, that maybe be dish-like and slopes towards the proximal inner wall 127 (3) the other side of the proximal wall 127 where the lower lip rests to form a relaxed seal/grip between this and the shield. The shield

The shield 1 10 comprises an upper member 1 1 1 and a lower member 1 12 and is understood to be configured as described herein in relation to the first aspect of the invention.

The resilient body

The body, or teat 105, is symmetrical from right to left but is asymmetrical from top to bottom, as is a human mouth. The teat 105 provides an upper surface 106 that faces the palate of the infant in use, and a lower surface 108 that faces the tongue of the infant in use. The upper surface 106 and the lower surface 108 have different roles to play in the pacifier 101 . Both surfaces 106, 108 provide anchor points to assist the infant in retaining the pacifier 101 , while the infant’s mouth is held in a partially open position. This may reduce the focus of the tip of the infant’s tongue towards the upper front jaw.

Figures 10-13 3 illustrate the depth D and breadth B of the proximal portion 104 of the teat 105. Also illustrated in Figure 12 is a neck portion N, where the teat 15 is narrowed in breadth adjacent the proximal portion 104, as the teat 105 extends from tip 1 19 to the shield 0, when viewed from below, as illustrated in Figure 12.

In Figure 10, the upper surface 106 of the teat 105 is also shown to have a bulbous outer profile, with a rounded, central tip 1 19. The upper surface 106 starting from the proximal portion 104, immediately adjacent the shield 1 10 has a breadth B, as the upper surface 106 extends though the intermediate portion 103 the breadth B narrows to form neck N and as the surface 106 extends into the distal portion 102, the upper surface 106 increases steadily towards the original breadth B. The breadth of the body at the neck N is between 60%-80% of the breadth of the body at the proximate end in contact with the shield.

The top surface 106 provides a rounded profile, and an indent 109, which can be seen in Figure 10, and also in the side elevation of Figure 13. The rounded profile or convex palate surface 128 that transitions towards the indent 109 in the intermediate portion 103 of the body 105, draws the infant’s upper jaw towards the neck N to position the convex surface 128 against the upper palate. Simultaneously, the infant’s tongue is drawn towards the pocket or recess 120 between the distal ridge 132 and the proximal ridge 134, where the tongue finds an anchoring point in the proximal inner wall 127 of the proximal ridge 134 (see Figures 12 and 13).

The radius R of arcuate proximal ridge 134 is greater that the radius r of the arcuate distal ridge 132. The radius R is about double that of radius r.

Figure 1 1 is a rear view of the pacifier 101 showing a marked difference in a profile of the upper surface 106 and the lower surface 108. The upper surface 106 is smooth an arcuate forming an ovoid surface that is greater in breadth than in height. This surface conforms substantially to the palate (upper mouth) of the infant in use and is configured to encourage the infant to rest and sleep. The lower surface 108, in contrast to the upper, is seen configured to provide a V-shaped profile albeit heavily rounded, that is shaped to conform to an infant’s tongue. More specifically, the median of the tongue. The infant’s tongue will rest with the lower surface 108 nestled into the median of the tongue and is intended to help the infant sleep while retaining the pacifier 101 while not encouraging active feeding.

Where an infant has a typical pacifier in the mouth and needs activate muscles in the mouth to actively retain the pacifier this can encourage feeding, leading to frustrating, as the pacifier will not produce any milk: this can create a continuous desire to feed. The pacifier 101 is intended to nestle comfortably in the infant’s mouth without activating the feeding desire, to assist the infant in resting and sleeping.

Figure 1 1 illustrates the separation between the upper surface 106 and the lower surface 108, and effectively the depth D of the side walls 138 of the teat 105. There is no narrowing or neck N formed in the depth D of the teat 105, to assist an infant in retaining the pacifier 101 , while the infant’s mouth is held in a partially open position. This may reduce the focus of the tip of the infant’s tongue towards the upper front jaw.

The upper 106 and lower surfaces 108 can be separated by 10mm, 12mm, 14mm, or 16mm to encourage the infant to adopt an open mouth around the pacifier 101 , in use. It is understood by the skilled person, that babies of different sizes and different ages will need a pacifier 101 of proportionate and increasing dimensions. The side walls 138 are rounded and provide a smooth transition between the upper 106 and lower surfaces 108 of the teat 105, to sit in the infant’s mouth around the distal end 012 if the teat 105 (see Figures 18C and 18D). As the teat 105 transitions towards the intermediate and proximate portions, the transition between the upper 106, and lower 108 surfaces changes in profile to assist the infant forming a seal about the teat 105 (see Figures 18A, 18B and 19A).

An upper lip rest 136 is configured along the upper surface 106 of the teat for the upper lip of the infant to lie upon, illustrated in Figure 13 and Figure 16A-16C. The upper lip rest 136 is located in the proximal portion 104 of the upper surface 106, immediately adjacent the interior face 1 18 of the upper member 1 1 1 of the shield 1 10. The upper lip rest 136 comprises a pair of shallow rounded shoulders disposed on opposing sides of the indent 109. The infant’s lips are guided towards the upper lip rest 136 as the teat 105 is inserted into their mouth, and the bulbous tip 1 19 is guided along the infant’s palate.

The distal portion 102 and intermediate portion 103 of the upper surface 6 are convexly contoured, providing a palate contacting surface 128 that conforms to the convex curves of the infant’s palate. The palate contacting surface 128 may assist the infant in retaining the pacifier 101 , in use, by providing an anchor point on the pacifier 101.

The rounded palate contacting surface 128 protrudes from the upper surface 106 of the teat 105 then transitions towards the upper surface towards the proximate portion 104. In some embodiments a shallow indent 109 is formed as a concave recess into the upper surface 106 in the proximate portion 104 of the teat 105. In some

embodiments, no discernible indent 109 is required. This is particularly where soft silicone material is used for the body 105, and the body naturally adopts a sunken form when in the mouth of an infant.

The indent 109 is not seen along the centreline section C-C in Figure 16A but can be seen in the neighbouring sections D-D and EE of Figure 16B and 16C where the shallow shoulders 122 are formed around the indent 109. The indent 9 is configured to receive and support the upper jaw of the infant and define a further anchor point to assist in retaining the pacifier 101 in the mouth. The upper lips of the infant are held on the upper lip rest 136 while the upper jaw extends further into the indent 109, assisting the infant to form a relaxed hold on the pacifier 101.

The lower surface 108 (also referred to as the lingual surface) of the teat 105 is contoured to work with the infant’s tongue in anchoring the pacifier 101 and also to direct the pressure applied to the pacifier 101 , from the tongue, away from the upper jaw of the infant.

Figure 12 illustrates the two opposing arcuate ridges: the distal ridge 132 and the proximal ridge 134, on the lower surface 108 of the teat 105. Between the two ridges there is formed the deep, recessed pocket 120.

Figure 12B has been marked-up to illustrate the contours of the ridges 132 and 134.

An apex of the proximate ridge 134 has been highlighted in a dotted line. The dotted line forms a circle approximating radius R. An arcuate line is also superimposed onto the bottom surface 108 of Figure 12B in a dashed line. This arc shows the location of the distal ridge 132 and approximates the radius r. A third line in dotted and dashed lines is imposed upon Figure 12B, illustrating a boundary B between the distal and proximate ridges. The boundary B and the proximate ridge 134 between them define the proximal inner wall 127, better illustrated in the side view of Figure 13, against which the tongue of the infant finds purchase. The boundary B and the distal ridge 132 between them define the distal inner wall 126, better illustrated in the side view of Figure 13. The inner walls 126 and 127 are not discrete surfaces on a single wall but are two separate wall surfaces about the under surface 108 of the teat 105.

Further illustrated in Figure 12B is an apex A of the lower surface 108. The apex A is the lowest point on the lower surface and sits centrally on the distal ridge 132. The side of the apex A directed towards the distal tip 1 19 of the teat 105 is rounded and smoothly transitions from the tip 1 19. In contrast the side of the apex A directed towards the shield 1 10 is steeply inclined along inner wall 127, to provide a surface about which the infant’s tongue can hook/grip. Meanwhile, the tip of the infant’s tongue can push-up against the crescent of the proximal ridge 134.

When the pacifier 101 is inserted into the infant’s mouth, the tip of the infant’s tongue is directed towards the pocket 120 and the tip of the tongue lies against the proximal inner wall 127, the proximal ridge 134 preventing the tongue from extending further forwards toward the shield 10. The infant’s lower lip is then positioned adjacent a lower lip rest 130 positioned between the interior face 1 18 of the lower member 1 12 of the shield 1 10 and the proximal ridge 134 (see Figure 12).

The proximal ridge 134 and the distal ridges 132 are on opposing sides of the inner walls 126 and 127 and work together to hold the pacifier 101 in the mouth. The proximal ridge 134 and the distal ridge 132 also assist in reducing, or at least redirecting, the pressure applied by the tip of the infant’s tongue away from the front jaw.

The profiles of the distal and proximal ridges 132, 134 and the inner walls 126, 127 formed across the under surface 108 of the teat 105, are clearly illustrated in the cross- sectional views of Figure 16A, 16B and 16C. As shown in Figure 16, each of the three sections C-C, D-D and E-E are taken along the length of the teat 105, extending from tip 1 19 to shield 1 10.

Figures 17A and 17B illustrate a cross-sectional transversally across the pacifier 101 , bisecting the teat 105 between the upper 106 and lower 108 surfaces. The sectional view of Figure 17B, thus illustrates the narrowing of the teat 105 to form a neck N, immediately adjacent the shield 1 10, when viewed across the breadth B of the teat 105. The cross-sectional thickness of the teat 105 can also been seen to reduce around the tip 1 19 of the teat 105 as compared to the side walls 138 immediately adjacent the shield 1 10.

Figure 18 illustrates the top view (or plan view) of the pacifier 101 and identifies the locations of the six cross-sectional views along the length of the teat 105 in Figure 18A-18F, respectively, bisecting the teat 105 from the proximal end 104 towards the tip 1 19 at the distal end 102.

The cross-sectional shape of section G-G is open and hollow, and is a similar breath to the tip of the teat, as the section G-G is located between the shield 1 10 and the neck N. The shape of section G-G is a flattened ovoid being almost planar across the upper surface 106 of the teat and having a broad U-shaped lower profile across surface 108. The sectional thickness of the teat 105 is greater in the side walls 138 than across the upper and lower surfaces (Figure 18A).

The cross-sectional shape of section H-H is open and hollow, and is narrower in breath to the tip of the teat, as the section H-H is located through the neck N. The shape of section H-H is ovoid being relatively planar across the upper surface 106 of the teat and having a narrow U-shaped lower profile across surface 108. The sectional thickness of the teat 105 is fairly even around the side walls 138, with a little thickening in the centre of the lower surface 108 adjacent the proximal ridge 134 (Figure 18B).

The cross-sectional shape of section l-l is open and hollow, and is of a similar narrow breath to the neck N of the teat, as the section l-l is located proximate the neck N. The shape of section l-l is trapezoidal, having a slightly longer upper surface than lower surface. Additionally, the upper surface 106 arcuate having a minimal convex curve (i.e. a large radius) while the lower surface 108 is convex having a radius of curvature smaller than that of the upper surface. The sectional thickness of the teat 105 is fairly constant around the side walls 138 (Figure 18C).

The cross-sectional shape of section J-J is open and hollow and is broader than that of the neck N of the teat, as the section J-J is located proximate a broadest breadth of the teat 105. The shape of section J-J is symmetrical but not regular. The upper surface is convex, more so than section J-J. While the lower surface provides a flat central portion and two opposing shoulders that transition towards the upper surface. The flat central portion approaching the apex A of the distal ridge 132 of the lower surface 108. The two shoulder portions are profiles cut through the distal inner wall 126. The sectional thickness of the teat 105 is fairly constant around the side walls 138 with minimal thickening across the flat central portion (Figure 18D).

The cross-sectional shape of section K-K is open and hollow and is broader than that of the neck N of the teat, as the section K-K is located adjacent the broadest breadth of the teat 105. The shape of section K-K is similar to that of section J-J, however the lower surface 108 become deeper and narrower, forming the V-shape seen in the rear view of Figure 1 1. The lower surface 108 is almost on the apex A where the form is configured to conform to the median of the infant’s tongue. The upper surface remains convex, similar to that of section K-K. The sectional thickness of the teat 105 is constant around the side walls 138 (Figure 18E).

The cross-sectional shape of section L-L is open and hollow, and is similar in breadth to sections J-J and K-K, each of which is broader than that of the neck N. The shape of section L-L is almost ovoid, however the lower surface 108 has a central irregularity as the V-shape in the lower surface of Figure 1 1 is transitioning out. The upper surface remains convex, with a radius greater than that of sections K-K and J-J, i.e. the radius greater and the surface is less curved. The sectional thickness of the teat 105 is constant around the side walls 138 (Figure 18F).

Where the resilient body is configured for use as a drinking teat, the body is typically hollow, or at least partially hollow. Flowever, where the body is configured for use as a pacifier, the resilient body may be hollow, partially hollow or solid.

Accordingly, there is also provided a drinking teat comprising a resilient body 105 protruding distally from a shield 1 10 to which the resilient body is attached at a proximal portion 104 of the resilient body wherein a distal portion 102 of the resilient body is substantially closed, the resilient body 105 being configured to be received in an infant’s mouth; wherein an upper surface 106 of the resilient body intermediate of the proximal end 104 and distal end 102 is provided with a curved portion 106 configured to conform to an infant’s palate; and a lower surface 108 having a recessed pocket 120 provided in an intermediate portion 103 of the lower surface 108 and is configured to receive an infant’s tongue.

In some embodiments, the shield 10, 1 10 and the teat 5, 105 can be made separately and assembled prior to sale. In some embodiments, the shield 10, 1 10 is made first and the teat 5, 105 is then over-moulded onto the shield 10, 1 10 to join the two components without the need for adhesives or welding.

The shield 10, 1 10 and the teat 5, 105 are made separately, kits may be sold comprising one or more shield components, and one or more body components, to facilitate replacement of one or other of the shield or body if damaged or worn. It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments, without departing from the scope of the following claims. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative of the scope of protection, and not restrictively.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can also be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, a limited number of the exemplary methods and materials are described herein.

It is to be understood that, if any prior art publication is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.

In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word“comprise” or variations such as“comprises” or“comprising” is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

LEGEND