PACIFIER HOLDER
A pacifier holder includes a deformable, ballasted base, an elongate stem having a lower end attached to the base and which extends upright with respect to the base to an opposed upper end, and the upper end of the elongate stem is formed with a pacifier retaining structure to receive and operatively hold a pacifier having a nipple so as to retain the pacifier leaving the nipple operatively exposed in preparation for use. In response to placement of the base on a support surface, the base deforms to conform to the support surface to secure the stem with respect to the support surface.
The present invention relates to pacifiers and, more particular, to pacifier holders.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONA pacifier is a rubber, plastic, or silicone nipple given to an infant or young child to suck upon. In its standard appearance it has a nipple, a mouth shield, and a handle. The mouth shield is large enough to avoid the danger of the child choking on it or swallowing it.
Pacifiers provide a convenient way for infants and young children to soothe and comfort themselves by sucking. However, it is frustrating for both parent and child when the pacifier falls to the floor, out of reach and becoming contaminated with dirt and debris thereby being rendered unsanitary and unsuitable for continued use without first cleaning the pacifier. Pacifier clips can be used to keep the pacifier from falling to the floor, but for young babies with limited motor skills a pacifier dangling at the end of a clip is of no use. Accordingly, what is needed is a pacifier holder that overcomes the shortcomings of conventional pacifier clips and like or similar pacifier holders.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONAccording to the principle of the invention, a pacifier holder includes a deformable, ballasted base, an elongate stem having a lower end attached to the base and which extends upright with respect to the base to an opposed upper end, and the upper end of the elongate stem is formed with a pacifier retaining structure to receive and operatively hold a pacifier having a nipple so as to retain the pacifier leaving the nipple operatively exposed in preparation for use. In response to placement of the base on a support surface, the base deforms to conform to the support surface to secure the stem with respect to the support surface. Further to the present embodiment is a pacifier including a nipple, and the pacifier is retained by the pacifier retaining structure operatively holding the pacifier retaining the pacifier leaving the nipple operatively exposed in preparation for use.
According to the principle of the invention, a pacifier holder includes a deformable bag containing a ballast substance having an indefinite shape, an elongate stem having a lower end attached to the bag and which extends upright with respect to the bag to an upper end, and the upper end of the elongate stem is formed with a pacifier retaining structure to receive and operatively hold a pacifier having a nipple so as to retain the pacifier leaving the nipple operatively exposed in preparation for use. In response to placement of the bag on a support surface, the bag deforms to conform to the support surface, which, together with the ballast substance contained by the bag, secures the stem with respect to the support surface. In a preferred embodiment the ballast substance is a mass of particles. An extension is formed in the lower end of the stem, which extends partially into the ballast substance, and the ballast substance interacts with the extension of the lower end of the stem to brace the stem with respect to the deformable bag. Further to the present embodiment is a pacifier including a nipple, and the pacifier is retained by the pacifier retaining structure operatively holding the pacifier retaining the pacifier leaving the nipple operatively exposed in preparation for use.
According to the principle of the invention, a pacifier holder includes a deformable bag having a top and an opposed bottom and encloses a first volume containing a second volume of a ballast substance having an indefinite shape. The second volume of the ballast substance is lesser than the first volume enclosed by the deformable bag to form a void in the first volume enclosed by the deformable bag at the top of the deformable bag. An elongate stem has a lower end attached to the top of the deformable bag opposing the void in the first volume enclosed by the deformable bag at the top of the deformable bag, and extends upright with respect to the top of the bag to an upper end. The upper end of the elongate stem is formed with a pacifier retaining structure to receive and operatively hold a pacifier having a nipple so as to retain the pacifier leaving the nipple operatively exposed in preparation for use. In response to placement of the bottom of the bag on a support surface, the bag deforms and the bottom of the bag conforms to the support surface, which, together with the ballast substance contained by the bag and the void in the first volume enclosed by the deformable bag at the top of the deformable bag, secures the stem projecting upward from the top of the bag with respect to the support surface. In a preferred embodiment, the ballast substance is a mass of particles. An extension of the lower end of the stem extends into and through the void in the first volume enclosed by the deformable bag at the top of the deformable bag, and partially into the ballast substance, and the ballast substance interacts with the extension of the lower end of the stem to brace the stem with respect to the deformable bag. Further to the present embodiment is a pacifier including a nipple, and the pacifier is retained by the pacifier retaining structure operatively holding the pacifier retaining the pacifier leaving the nipple operatively exposed in preparation for use.
According to the principle of the invention, a pacifier holder includes a deformable bag containing a ballast substance having an indefinite shape, an elongate stem having a lower end attached to the bag and which extends upright with respect to the bag to an upper end, and the upper end of the elongate stem is formed with a pacifier having a nipple operatively exposed in preparation for use. In response to placement of the bag on a support surface, the bag deforms to conform to the support surface, which, together with the ballast substance contained by the bag, secures the stem with respect to the support surface. In a preferred embodiment, ballast substance is a mass of particles. An extension of the lower end of the stem extends partially into the ballast substance, and the ballast substance interacts with the extension of the lower end of the stem to brace the stem with respect to the deformable bag.
According to the principle of the invention, a pacifier holder includes a deformable bag having a top and an opposed bottom and encloses a first volume containing a second volume of a ballast substance having an indefinite shape, and the second volume of the ballast substance lesser than the first volume enclosed by the deformable bag forming a void in the first volume enclosed by the deformable bag at the top of the deformable bag. An elongate stem has a lower end attached to the top of the deformable bag opposing the void in the first volume enclosed by the deformable bag at the top of the deformable bag, and extends upright with respect to the top of the bag to an upper end. The upper end of the elongate stem is formed with a pacifier having a nipple operatively exposed in preparation for use. In response to placement of the bottom of the bag on a support surface, the bag deforms and the bottom of the bag conforms to the support surface, which, together with the ballast substance contained by the bag and the void in the first volume enclosed by the deformable bag at the top of the deformable bag, secures the stem projecting upward from the top of the bag with respect to the support surface. In a preferred embodiment the ballast substance is a mass of particles. An extension of the lower end of the stem extends into and through the void in the first volume enclosed by the deformable bag at the top of the deformable bag, and partially into the ballast substance, and the ballast substance interacts with the extension of the lower end of the stem to brace the stem with respect to the deformable bag.
Referring to the drawings:
Turning now to the drawings, in which like reference characters indicate corresponding elements throughout the several views, attention is first directed to
According to the principle of the invention, base 21 is soft, deformable, and ballasted. In a preferred embodiment, base 21 is a soft, deformable, ballasted bag 30. Bag 30 is a non-rigid, sealed container made of cloth, vinyl, leather, rubber, or other flexible material or combination of flexible materials. In the present embodiment, bag 30 is sealed and is substantially spheroidal in shape resembling a ball, and consists of a contiguous wall having an outer surface 31, and an opposed inner surface 32 illustrated in
Bag 30 is ballasted, as previously pointed out. According to the principle of the invention, the ballasted characteristic of bag 30 means that bag is provided with, or otherwise configured with, ballast that, according to the principle of the invention, does not impede or prevent bag 30 from deforming and that also enhances the stability of bag 30, or that otherwise stabilizes bag 30, when bag 30 is placed onto a support surface, such as support surface 25 illustrated in
And so volume 33 of bag 30 contains the volume of ballast substance 40, which imparts the ballast and the associated ballast characteristics to bag 30. According to the principle of the invention, the volume of ballast substance 40 is somewhat lesser than volume 33 of bag 30 to form a void 42 in volume 33 of bag 30, which is formed between ballast substance 40 and inner surface 32 of bag 30. In the present example, the volume of ballast substance 40 is approximately ten percent less than volume 33 of bag 30, but the difference between the respective volumes can vary as may be desired. In
Bag 30, including ballast substance 40 formed in bag 30, together define an overall weight bag 30. Stem 22, including pacifier retaining structure 23 formed in stem 22, also has an overall weight. However, the overall weight of bag 30 is greater than the overall weight of stem 22 including pacifier retaining structure 23 formed therewith, and also a pacifier held by pacifier retaining structure 23, such as pacifier 24 illustrated in
Looking to
Referencing
As illustrated in
Pacifier retaining structure 23 relates to upper end 52 of stem 22 as illustrated in
Looking to
Lower end 84 of body 80 of pacifier retaining structure 23 is attached to upper end 52 of stem 22, and body 80 extends upwardly and away from upper end 52 of stem 22 to upper end 83 of body 80 of pacifier retaining structure 23. In the present example as best illustrated in
As previously mentioned, pacifier retaining structure 23 is adapted to receive and retain a pacifier, such as pacifier 24. In
To apply pacifier 24 to pacifier retaining structure 23 in accordance with the principle of the invention, pacifier 24 is taken up, such as by hand, and is registered with respect to face 81 of body 80 of pacifier retaining structure 23 directing inner face 102 and outer end 104B of nipple 104 toward face 81 as illustrated in
Body 101 of pacifier 24 is substantially coextensive with respect to body 80 of pacifier retaining structure 23. Moreover, head 104A of nipple 104A of pacifier 24 and body 101 of pacifier 24 are each enlarged with respect to opening 85 formed through body 80 as illustrated in
With reference in relevant part to the various figures, this specification presents pacifier holder 20, which includes deformable, ballasted base 21 and elongate stem 22 having lower end 51 end attached to base 21 and which extends upward or otherwise with respect to base 21 to opposed upper end 52, which is formed with pacifier retaining structure 23 to receive and operatively hold a pacifier, such as pacifier 24 having nipple 104 so as to retain pacifier 24 leaving nipple 104 operatively exposed in preparation for use as illustrated and previously explained in connection with
Pacifier holder 20 ensures that a baby's pacifier will not only stay clean, but it will stay exactly where it needs to be so baby can continue soothing themselves, even if they spit out the pacifier for a minute. Parents simply position base 21 on a surface near the baby or rest it directly on the baby's body when they are in a car seat or other carrier. Stem 22 attaches to any standard pacifier, such as pacifier 24, and extends toward baby, positioning the nipple of the pacifier perfectly.
In this particular example, base 21 consists of a deformable, ballasted bag 30 21 and lower end 51 of elongate stem 22 is attached to top 30A bag 30 and which extends upward or otherwise with respect to top 30A of bag 30 to opposed upper end 52, which is formed with pacifier retaining structure 23 to receive and operatively hold a pacifier, such as pacifier 24 having nipple 104 so as to retain pacifier 24 leaving nipple 104 operatively exposed in preparation for use as illustrated and previously explained in connection with
In
In
As seen in
The invention has been described above with reference to a preferred embodiment. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that changes and modifications may be made to the embodiment without departing from the nature and scope of the invention. Various changes and modifications to the embodiment herein chosen for purposes of illustration will readily occur to those skilled in the art. To the extent that such modifications and variations do not depart from the spirit of the invention, they are intended to be included within the scope thereof.
Having fully described the invention in such clear and concise terms as to enable those skilled in the art to understand and practice the same, the invention claimed is:
Claims
1. A pacifier holder, comprising:
- a deformable, ballasted base;
- an elongate stem having a lower end attached to the base, and which extends upright with respect to the base to an opposed upper end;
- the upper end of the elongate stem formed with a pacifier retaining structure to receive and operatively hold a pacifier having a nipple so as to retain the pacifier leaving the nipple operatively exposed in preparation for use; and
- in response to placement of the base on a support surface, the bag deforms to conform to the support surface to secure the stem with respect to the support surface.
2. The pacifier holder according to claim 1, further comprising a pacifier including a nipple, and the pacifier retained by the pacifier retaining structure operatively holding the pacifier retaining the pacifier leaving the nipple operatively exposed in preparation for use.
3. The pacifier holder according to claim 1, wherein the pacifier retaining structure comprises a broad, flat body having opposed, parallel inner and outer faces, and a central, pacifier-receiving opening formed in the body extending from the inner face to the outer face.
4. A pacifier holder, comprising:
- a deformable bag containing a ballast substance having an indefinite shape;
- an elongate stem having a lower end attached to the bag, and extends upright with respect to the bag to an upper end;
- the upper end of the elongate stem formed with a pacifier retaining structure to receive and operatively hold a pacifier having a nipple so as to retain the pacifier leaving the nipple operatively exposed in preparation for use; and
- in response to placement of the bag on a support surface, the bag deforms to conform to the support surface, which, together with the ballast substance contained by the bag, secures the stem with respect to the support surface.
5. The pacifier holder according to claim 4, wherein the ballast substance is a mass of particles.
6. The pacifier holder according to claim 4, further comprising:
- an extension of the lower end of the stem extends partially into the ballast substance; and
- the ballast substance interacts with the extension of the lower end of the stem to brace the stem with respect to the deformable bag.
7. The pacifier holder according to claim 4, further comprising a pacifier including a nipple, and the pacifier retained by the pacifier retaining structure operatively holding the pacifier retaining the pacifier leaving the nipple operatively exposed in preparation for use.
8. The pacifier holder according to claim 4, wherein the pacifier retaining structure comprises a soft, supple body, which is broad and flat and has opposed, parallel inner and outer faces, and a central, pacifier-receiving opening formed in the body extending from the inner face to the outer face.
9. A pacifier holder, comprising:
- a deformable bag having a top and an opposed bottom and enclosing a first volume containing a second volume of a ballast substance having an indefinite shape, the second volume of the ballast substance lesser than the first volume enclosed by the deformable bag forming a void in the first volume enclosed by the deformable bag at the top of the deformable bag;
- an elongate stem having a lower end attached to the top of the deformable bag opposing the void in the first volume enclosed by the deformable bag at the top of the deformable bag, and extends upright with respect to the top of the bag to an upper end;
- the upper end of the elongate stem formed with a pacifier retaining structure to receive and operatively hold a pacifier having a nipple so as to retain the pacifier leaving the nipple operatively exposed in preparation for use; and
- in response to placement of the bottom of the bag on a support surface, the bag deforms and the bottom of the bag conforms to the support surface, which, together with the ballast substance contained by the bag and the void in the first volume enclosed by the deformable bag at the top of the deformable bag, secures the stem projecting upward from the top of the bag with respect to the support surface.
10. The pacifier holder according to claim 9, wherein the ballast substance is a mass of particles.
11. The pacifier holder according to claim 9, further comprising:
- an extension of the lower end of the stem extends into and through the void in the first volume enclosed by the deformable bag at the top of the deformable bag, and partially into the ballast substance; and
- the ballast substance interacts with the extension of the lower end of the stem to brace the stem with respect to the deformable bag.
12. The pacifier holder according to claim 9, further comprising a pacifier including a nipple, and the pacifier retained by the pacifier retaining structure operatively holding the pacifier retaining the pacifier leaving the nipple operatively exposed in preparation for use.
13. The pacifier holder according to claim 9, wherein the pacifier retaining structure comprises a soft, supple body, which is broad and flat and has opposed, parallel inner and outer faces, and a central, pacifier-receiving opening formed in the body extending from the inner face to the outer face.
14. A pacifier holder, comprising:
- a deformable bag containing a ballast substance having an indefinite shape;
- an elongate stem having a lower end attached to the bag, and extends upright with respect to the bag to an upper end;
- the upper end of the elongate stem formed with a pacifier having a nipple operatively exposed in preparation for use; and
- in response to placement of the bag on a support surface, the bag deforms to conform to the support surface, which, together with the ballast substance contained by the bag, secures the stem with respect to the support surface.
15. The pacifier holder according to claim 14, wherein the ballast substance is a mass of particles.
16. The pacifier holder according to claim 14, further comprising:
- an extension of the lower end of the stem extends partially into the ballast substance; and
- the ballast substance interacts with the extension of the lower end of the stem to brace the stem with respect to the deformable bag.
17. A pacifier holder, comprising:
- a deformable bag having a top and an opposed bottom and enclosing a first volume containing a second volume of a ballast substance having an indefinite shape, the second volume of the ballast substance lesser than the first volume enclosed by the deformable bag forming a void in the first volume enclosed by the deformable bag at the top of the deformable bag;
- an elongate stem having a lower end attached to the top of the deformable bag opposing the void in the first volume enclosed by the deformable bag at the top of the deformable bag, and extends upright with respect to the top of the bag to an upper end;
- the upper end of the elongate stem formed with a pacifier having a nipple operatively exposed in preparation for use; and
- in response to placement of the bottom of the bag on a support surface, the bag deforms and the bottom of the bag conforms to the support surface, which, together with the ballast substance contained by the bag and the void in the first volume enclosed by the deformable bag at the top of the deformable bag, secures the stem projecting upward from the top of the bag with respect to the support surface.
18. The pacifier holder according to claim 17, wherein the ballast substance is a mass of particles.
19. The pacifier holder according to claim 17, further comprising:
- an extension of the lower end of the stem extends into and through the void in the first volume enclosed by the deformable bag at the top of the deformable bag, and partially into the ballast substance; and
- the ballast substance interacts with the extension of the lower end of the stem to brace the stem with respect to the deformable bag.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 30, 2009
Publication Date: Feb 3, 2011
Inventor: REBECCA M. FINELL (Tempe, AZ)
Application Number: 12/512,309
International Classification: A47G 29/00 (20060101);