GB2327590A - Edible teething device - Google Patents

Abstract

A teething device is formed of either an edible teething ring or of a ring 4 to which an edible portion 8 may be removably attached. The edible portion/ring may be a biscuit. In an alternative embodiment (figure 4, not shown), a rectangular teething biscuit is attached to a base, the base carrying a ring for the baby to hold.

Description

TEETHING RINGS This invention relates to teething rings, teething biscuits and other means for aiding in the teething of babies.

It is known to provide teething rings which are given to babies to bite as a means of relief while they are teething. Teething rings are often made of plastics material and are relatively easy for the baby to grasp.

It is known to provide teething biscuits. which are generally made of a hard, edible, cereal-based substance. Babies are given these in place of teething rings for variety, and because biting on the biscuits can be more rewarding for the baby. The biscuits are normally rod-shaped; that is elongate with a roughly square cross section. This makes them relatively easy to grasp, but it also means that the biscuits can be easily dropped when the baby's grip is relaxed. To mitigate this problem it is known to provide a hole adjacent one end of the biscuit through which a ribbon can be passed, the ribbon then being secured by pinning to the baby's garments. Although this means that the biscuit is not lost when it is dropped, the attachment to the garment can actually pull the biscuit out of the baby's grip as a result of the uncoordinated hand movement of the baby. Such movements, together with the rod-like shape of biscuit, can also resort in the baby accidentally injuring himself, eg by poking himself in the eye.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an edible teething ring. In another aspect of the invention, a teething device comprises a ring-shape member which can be easily grasped by a baby, the member being formed of edible material, or having attached thereto a part formed of edible material.

The invention thus enables the provision of a teething ring which has the advantages of a teething biscuit but is less likely to be dropped or to cause injury.

In the preferred embodiment, a hard, cereal-based edible substance is formed in the shape of a ring. In an alternative embodiment, a non-edible grasping portion, for example made of plastics material, is configured so as to be easily grasped by the baby, and has fitted thereto an edible portion. The former embodiment is relatively inexpensive and simple to use, whereas the latter embodiment can be designed to have all the advantages of a normal plastic teething ring, with the added advantage that replaceable biscuit portions can be fitted thereto to give the baby variety and more satisfaction.

Arrangements embodying the invention will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 illustrates a teething ring according to the first embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 illustrates a modified version of the teething ring of Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a filrther embodiment of the invention; and Figure 4 shows another embodiment.

Referring to Figure 1, the teething ring 2 illustrated here is made of a hard biscuit material. Any of the materials used to make the currently available teething biscuits would be suitable. The biscuit is ring shaped, with an inner diameter of approximately 20 mm to 40 mm, and an outer diameter approximately 40 mm to 60 mm. As shown by the hatched cross-section, the biscuit preferably tapers so that it is relatively thin near the inner and outer portions, with a thicker part therebetween. The thickness may vary between, say, 4 mm and 12 mm.

The embodiment of Figure 2 is similar to that of Figure 1 except that the width of the ring 3 (when considered in the direction of the radius) is substantially greater at one side than at the other. The thinner side can be grasped relatively easily, whereas the wider side provides more biscuit material and would therefore last longer and be more effective.

Referring to Figure 3, this embodiment comprises a ring 4 of plastics material which can be easily grasped by a baby, and which has a channel 6 in its outer conference. An arcuate-shaped biscuit portion 8 can be fitted to and removed from the ring 4. The biscuit portion is provided with upper and lower recesses 10, which enable the biscuit to be retained in the channel with the outer portion of the biscuit extending therefrom, by means of the engagement of thickened circumferential portions 12 of the ring 4 within the recesses.

The ring 4 is usable as a teething ring on its own, or with a biscuit portion 8. However, biscuit portions 8 can be supplied separately for fitting to the ring 4, so as to give the baby variety.

Referring to Figure 4, in this embodiment a teething device is formed of a ring 20 which can be easily grasped by a baby, and which is attached to a base 22. The ring 20 and base 22 are formed of plastics material. In the centre of the base there is an aperture 24 into which an elongate teething biscuit 26 can be fitted. The teething biscuit 26 extends away from the base portion 22 on the opposite side of the ring 20.

The biscuit portion 26 may be an interference bit in the aperture 24. If desired the inner walls of the aperture 24 and/or the end of the biscuit portion may be slightly tapered such that the dimensions become smaller in the direction leading away from the ring 20 so that the biscuit is less likely to come loose. This embodiment has the advantage that the teething device can be readily grasped and retained by the baby using the ring 20 (which may be pivotable about an axis 28 with respect to the base 22), but has the disadvantage that the elongate biscuit portion may cause injury.

Claims (8)

CLAIMS:

1. An edible teething ring.

2. A teething ring as claimed in claim 1, made of cereal.

3. A teething device comprising a ring which can readily be grasped by a baby. the ring being made of edible material or having an edible portion removably attached thereto.

4. A teething device as claimed 3, wherein the edible portion is attached to the circumference of the ring.

5. An edible teething biscuit which is so shaped as to be attachable to the ring of a teething device as claimed in claim 3 or claim 4.

6. A method of relieving discomfort in a baby, the method comprising giving the baby an edible teething ring.

7. A method of relieving discomfort in a baby, the method comprising giving the baby a teething device as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 5.

8. A teething device substantially as herein described with reference to any one of the accompanying drawings.