EP0540618B1 - Device of the feeding-bottle type - Google Patents

Abstract

Device of the feeding-bottle type comprising: an external tubular body (1) having an open extremity (1b); a flexible capsule or container (3) housed or capable of being housed within said tubular body and presenting also an extremity (C) which is open or arranged to be opened; means (2, 42) allowing to communicate with environmental air, the space (D) existing between said flexible capsule (3) and the body (1); a specific teat (12) mounted or conformed to be mounted ahead of the openings (A, C) of said body (1) and said capsule (3); and an intermediary non-return valve (5) arranged between the open extremity (C) of said capsule (3) and the base of said teat (12) and delimiting with the latter a dispensing chamber (F); characterized in that a second valve (19, 20) is provided in the nipple piece (15) of the teat (12), between the dispensing chamber (F) and the outlet perforations (18) of said teat, said second valve (19-20) allowing the passage of nutrient liquid towards said outlet perforations (18) and opposing the entry of air into said dispensing chamber (F).

Description

The present invention relates to a device of the bottle type, for feeding.

According to an example of a particularly advantageous application, although not limiting, the device according to the invention is intended to constitute a physiological bottle making it possible to feed an infant, in a manner reproducing the physical and mechanical processes of natural breastfeeding, requiring the baby efforts of suction and / or pressure with beneficial physiological effects and suppressing any ingestion of unwanted air.

Indeed, feeding with a conventional bottle requires little or no effort for the infant since the milk flows easily and almost naturally when said bottle is overturned, while a volume of air enters the teat and mixes with nutritious liquid, each time the baby has to relax his suction, so that he swallows a certain amount of air during each feeding, which causes him digestive troubles. In addition, the usual bottles have an annoying tendency to initiate the baby in the oral breathing since this one must interrupt its feeding, to let enter the air in the teat.

Various devices of the bottle type have been proposed to facilitate or regulate the flow of the nutritive liquid (US-A-1,441,623, US-A-3,946,888), or to suppress the ingestion of air (US-A- 4,339,046), US-A-2,907,485), or aimed at obtaining these two results (US-A-4,339,046). Bottles are thus known comprising a specific teat associated with a non-return valve and with a flexible capsule intended to contain the nutritive liquid and housed in the body of the bottle which also comprises an air inlet intended to put in communication with ambient air, the space existing between said flexible capsule and said body (US-A-4,339,046). These bottles designed to reduce the ingestion of air by the baby during feeding, do not allow to reproduce feeding conditions comparable to those of breastfeeding. breast, so that they have the aforementioned drawbacks of the usual bottles.

Document US-A-3,936,888 describes a device intended to reproduce the conditions of natural breastfeeding, this device comprising a teat of variable thickness associated with a one-way valve arranged between the bottle and said teat. However, it is obvious that such a device does not achieve this goal, because, on the one hand, it works by simple compression and release of the teat, while, on the other hand, each time the baby releases the teat, a quantity of air and a quantity of liquid both penetrate into said teat where they mix, so that when the baby squeezes it again, it ingests a certain amount of air with the nutritious liquid contained in the bottle.

Another disadvantage of conventional bottles and devices proposed to overcome the shortcomings and drawbacks of the latter, lies in the fact that they must always be inclined in inverted positions between the horizontal and vertical, to be functional.

The object of the invention is in particular to remedy the above-mentioned imperfections of known baby bottles.

According to the invention, this objective is achieved by means of a bottle of the kind comprising an external body or tubular and deformable envelope comprising an open end, a flexible capsule or pocket housed or capable of being housed in this body and also comprising an open end or arranged to be easily opened, a means making it possible to put in communication with the ambient air, the space existing between this flexible capsule and this body, a specific teat mounted or shaped to be mounted in front of the openings of said body and of said capsule, and an intermediate non-return valve disposed between the open end of said capsule and the base of said teat, and delimiting, with the latter, a dispensing chamber, this bottle being remarkable for the fact a second valve is arranged in the end of the nipple, between this dispensing chamber and the outlet perforations of the nipple, this second valve allowing the passage of the nutritive liquid towards said outlet perforations and opposing the entry of the air towards said distributor chamber.

Advantageously, the end of the teat is internally shaped so as to constitute the seat of an axially movable valve which is integral with an elastic means allowing its axial movements and tending to apply it on its seat.

According to another characteristic arrangement of the invention, the valve consists of a circular bead which is provided with the upper part of a core of approximately conical shape housed in a deformable outer casing constituting the nipple proper, the base of this core having a pleated, flexible and elastic skirt constituting the means allowing the axial movements of said valve and tending to apply the latter on its seat.

The physiological bottle according to the invention makes it possible to feed an infant by making him carry out a feeding effort similar to that exerted for the feeding of the maternal breast. In particular, this physiological bottle allows stimulation, by the pressure and propulsion effort, of the temporomandibular joints which partly condition the growth of the maxilla and, more particularly, the recovery of the mandibular retrognathia of the newborn. More generally, thanks to the constitution of the muscular potential necessary for bone growth, in the three directions of space, it contributes to good maxillofacial development, thus preventing the appearance of dysmorphoses and, later, certain malocclusions dental.

On the other hand, during feeding, the compensating air does not enter the nipple and does not mix with the liquid; therefore, the infant is not forced to release his suction and cannot ingest air.

Another advantage of the device according to the invention lies in the fact that it can operate in all positions, including in the vertical position not overturned, that is to say nipple upwards. Therefore, other applications of the invention can be envisaged.

For example, with a simple adaptation of the shape and dimensions of the device, one can envisage a use of it for feeding adults, in a specific medium (weightless or aqueous) in which said device will behave normally, or when the hands and / or attention are occupied continuously, or that one cannot drink or eat conventionally (motor sport, scuba diving, sailing or air sports, etc.).

Another advantage of this device is that it does not flow, even in the inverted position.

• La figure 1 est une vue éclatée et en coupe axiale d'un biberon physiologique exécuté selon l'invention.
• La figure 2 est une vue en coupe axiale de ce biberon.
• Les figures 3 et 4 sont des vues en coupe axiale illustrant le fonctionnement du biberon.
• Les figures 5 et 6 sont des vues partielles, à plus grande échelle, correspondant, respectivement aux figures 3 et 4.
• La figure 7 est une vue en coupe axiale d'une capsule souple destinée à un unique usage et contenant une préparation nutritive déshydratée.
• La figure 8 est une vue en coupe axiale d'une capsule prête à l'emploi.
• La figure 9 est une vue éclatée et en coupe axiale du clapet intermédiaire.
• La figure 10 est une vue éclatée, en coupe axiale et à plus grande échelle, de la tétine.
• La figure 11 est une vue en coupe axiale suivant la ligne 11-11 de la figure 12.
• La figure 12 est une vue de face et en demi-coupe selon la ligne 12-12 de la figure 11.
• La figure 13 est une vue en coupe transversale suivant la ligne 13-13 de la figure 11.

The aims, characteristics and advantages above, and others still, will emerge more clearly from the description which follows and from the appended drawings in which:

• Figure 1 is an exploded view in axial section of a physiological bottle executed according to the invention.
• Figure 2 is an axial sectional view of this bottle.
• Figures 3 and 4 are views in axial section illustrating the operation of the bottle.
• FIGS. 5 and 6 are partial views, on a larger scale, corresponding, respectively to FIGS. 3 and 4.
• Figure 7 is an axial sectional view of a flexible capsule intended for single use and containing a dehydrated nutritious preparation.
• Figure 8 is an axial sectional view of a ready-to-use capsule.
• Figure 9 is an exploded view in axial section of the intermediate valve.
• Figure 10 is an exploded view, in axial section and on a larger scale, of the teat.
• FIG. 11 is a view in axial section along line 11-11 of FIG. 12.
• FIG. 12 is a front view and in half-section along line 12-12 of FIG. 11.
• FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view along line 13-13 of FIG. 11.

Reference is made to said drawings to describe an interesting, although in no way limiting, embodiment of the device of the bottle type according to the invention, which, according to this example, consists of a physiological bottle for feeding an infant.

This bottle comprises a tubular body 1, substantially cylindrical and comprising a closed end 1a and an open end 1b delimiting a wide opening A, and provided with an external thread 28.

This body is preferably executed in a semi-rigid material endowed with an elastic deformation capacity, under the pressure of an adult hand. It can be made of any unbreakable synthetic material having the required rigidity and flexibility characteristics and its dimensions can be identical or close to those of a traditional baby bottle.

The body 1 comprises, laterally, an opening B in which is installed a valve 2 described in the remainder of this description. Opposite the opening B and close to its bottom 1a, the body 1 may have a concavity 1c reproducing the shape between the thumb and the index finger, this ergonomic conformation making it possible to naturally place the bottle in the correct position. desirable.

In the body 1 is housed or intended to be housed a capsule or flexible tubular bag 3 containing or intended to contain the nutritive liquid.

This capsule has a generally cylindrical shape and has a closed end and an end provided with a wide opening C and a fixing flange 3a allowing its positioning and ensuring the seal. Its volume can be provided to substantially fill the body 1, a reduced space D being preferably formed between the capsule and said body.

In order to be able to use the entire contents of the capsule and to avoid deformation of the latter which could cause the creation of retaining pockets, an axial rib (extra thickness) is provided.

• réutilisable ;
• à usage unique, c'est-à-dire jetable après emploi ;
• prête à l'emploi.

This capsule 3 can be:

• reusable;
• disposable, that is to say disposable after use;
• ready to use.

It can be made of any elastomer having the required qualities of tightness and flexibility allowing it to be crushed without effort, this elastomer being advantageously translucent.

When the flexible capsule 3 is intended to be reusable, its constituent material must be sufficiently solid and resistant to withstand the successive washings and sterilizations to which said capsule is intended to be subjected. In addition, such a reusable capsule may include, laterally, a scale allowing the dosage of the nutritive liquid.

When using such flexible, reusable and translucent capsules, the preparation of the nutritive liquid (milk or other preparation) is carried out in the traditional manner.

When the capsule 3 ′ is intended for a single use, it may contain a dehydrated and predosed nutritive preparation P, enclosed under vacuum in said capsule which is in a flattened form and its opening C is closed by a detachable cover 4, fixed on its collar 3a, as shown in FIG. 7.

When removing the cover, the capsule relaxes under the effect of air suction, and allows to add the water necessary for the fluidification of the preparation.

This type of flexible 3 'capsule can be offered with different capacities and with different dehydrated or lyophilized nutritive preparations.

This solution brings an improvement of hygiene preparations, great ease of use and allows storage of preparations in a minimum of space.

When the 3 '' capsule is ready for use, it contains a certain quantity of nutritive liquid L for which it has been sized and its upper opening C is also closed by a detachable cover 4 (FIG. 8), the nutritive preparation being ready to be ingested by the infant.

In front of the opening C of the capsule 3, is arranged a non-return valve or intermediate valve 5 consisting of two circular membranes 6, 7 applied one against the other.

The lower membrane 6 placed in front of the opening C of the capsule 3, is made of a rigid non-deformable material (for example rigid plastic) and it comprises, in its center, a circular hole 8 with a spherical generator. It is provided, on its upper face, with a peripheral shoulder 9 allowing the centering and embedding of the upper membrane 7 in the housing delimited by said shoulder.

The upper membrane 7 is made of flexible rubber or other flexible and elastic synthetic elastomer, easily deformable. It comprises, at its center, a boss 10 with spherical generators oriented in the direction of the hole 8 of the lower membrane 6, and holes 11 arranged at a distance from its central part occupied by said boss.

The nipple 12 is composed of a hollow outer casing 13 constituting the nipple proper, and an inner core 14, housed therein.

The outer casing 13 assumes the shape of a traditional teat, that is to say that it has a tip 15 provided with perforations 18 and a body 16 in the shape of a bulb must the open base is walled with a collar 17 connection and sealing. It is made of a flexible material but having sufficient elasticity and rigidity to resume its normal shape when the effort of crushing to which it is subjected, disappears. It is emphasized that the power of return to the initial shape of the outer envelope is studied to cause a force suction effect capable of detaching the upper membrane 7 from the lower membrane 6.

The tip 15 of the teat is internally shaped so as to constitute a valve seat, this valve seat being constituted by an internal annular constriction or rib 19 that the casing 13 presents, at the level of the attachment of the tip 15 to the body 16.

The constriction 19 serves as a seat for a valve 20, which is axially movable, this valve advantageously being constituted by a circular bead which has the end part of the core 14 oriented in the direction of the end 15 of the teat. This valve preferably has a toroidal shape and its seat has a concave profile with a spherical generator.

Naturally, the bead 20 constituting the valve has a diameter greater than the diameter of the passage E delimited by the constriction 19 serving as a seat for said valve; however, the diametral difference is relatively small, so as to allow, at the same time, a good seal at the entry of air into the teat and an easy separation of the casing 13 and the core 14, for cleaning them.

The core 14 has a substantially conical shape, with a slightly concave lateral surface. It has a full portion going from its top to near its base which has two recesses 21 each communicating with a hole 22. The recesses 21 allow, on the one hand, the passage of the nutritive liquid and, on the other apart, to easily grasp the core 14 to extract it from the casing 13, for example to facilitate cleaning of the latter.

The base of the core 14 comprises a flexible and pleated skirt 23, provided with an elastic deformation capacity and attached to a flange 24 for connection and sealing; this flexible and pleated skirt 23 allowing movement axial of the core 14 and, consequently, of the valve 20. On the other hand, the elasticity of this skirt 23 makes it possible to obtain a residual closing force, tending to apply the valve 20 to its seat 19.

It is emphasized that, at rest, the distance "a" between the base of the valve 20 and the inner face of the flange 24 of the core 14 is less than the distance "b" between the seat surface of the seat 19 and the underside of the collar 17 of the casing 13 (FIG. 10), which makes it possible to obtain a preload of said valve.

The base thus arranged of the core 14, ensures the axial guidance of the valve, while in addition to the fact that they allow the passage of the nutritive liquid, the holes 22 ensure the balance of pressures in the teat.

The lateral surface of the core 14 is provided with longitudinal grooves 26 allowing the passage of milk or other nutritive liquid, in the event of the envelope 13 being crushed.

When the various constituent elements of the bottle are assembled, the valve 19-20, the intermediate valve 5 and the casing 13, delimit a dispensing chamber F inside which is housed the core 14 with a longitudinal movement capacity of reduced amplitude. On the other hand, at rest, a small space is provided between the base of the core 14 of the teat and the flexible membrane 7 of the intermediate valve (FIG. 5), in order to allow the latter to be raised when the chamber F is in depression (Figure 6).

The tight assembly of the various constituent elements described above of the bottle is obtained by means of a clamping ring 27 of generally conventional design which is fixed by screwing, on the open end of the body 1 provided with a complementary external thread 28 , preferably by means of a "quarter-turn" system allowing easy and rapid closure of said bottle, while avoiding excessive tightening which, by its distribution could deteriorate the sealing elements.

This clamping ring also ensures the rotational positioning of the nipple 12 relative to the body 1 of the bottle.

For this purpose, the side wall of the ring 27 includes, for example, internally, a longitudinal groove 27a, in which a stop 29 can be engaged which is provided, on its periphery, the flange 17 of the envelope 13.

Figures 11 to 13 illustrate the valve 2 installed in the body and ensuring the entry of compensating air between said body and the deformable capsule 3 housed therein.

This valve 2 comprises a casing 32 fixedly installed in the opening B of the body 1, near the open end provided with the thread 28, of the latter. This casing has, internally, a constriction 33 shaped to serve as a seat for a shutter 34 movable axially, and subjected to the thrust of a spring 35 tending to apply it against its seat 33, this spring being wedged, on the one hand against said shutter and, on the other hand, against the bottom of the casing 32.

The valve 2 is adjustable so as to be able to act on the general flow rate of the bottle and on the vacuum necessary for the flow of the liquid. In addition, a calibration of the valves makes it possible to maintain a vacuum inside the bottle.

The valve 2 adjusting device comprises a spring 36 wedged, via one of its ends, against the shutter 34 and exerting, on the latter, an action antagonistic to that of the spring 35. The springs 35 and 36 are preferably of the helical type acting in compression and they are placed in alignment, the stiffness of the adjusting spring 36 being less than that of the return spring 35 of the shutter.

An adjustment button 37 mounted with an ability to move longitudinally in a slide 38 formed in the external face of the casing 32, makes it possible to adjust the setting of the spring 36 and, consequently, of the valve 2. This adjustment button comprises, one hand, a finger 39 taking support against the upper end of the spring 36 and, on the other hand, a notched rod 40 cooperating with a rack 41 that has, at the front, the casing 32, and making it possible to immobilize said adjustment knob in the desired position.

It is understood that the more the adjustment spring 36 is compressed, the more its pressure increases and compensates for the pressure of the return spring 35 on the shutter 34. As a result, the threshold for opening the valve is lowered.

It is emphasized that the characteristics of the adjustment spring 36 must be such that when this spring is put into maximum compression, the shutter 34 must still be subjected to a slight pressure of the return spring 35 so that said shutter can fulfill its function of check valve. return.

For ease of execution, the casing 32 of the valve 2 can be executed in two parts and be installed in the opening B of the body 1 after assembly of the various constituent members and assembly of said parts.

Advantageously, the adjustable valve 2 is arranged at the inlet of a conduit opening out near the bottom 1a of the body 1.

According to the illustrated embodiment, the chamber G delimited by the shutter 34, inside the casing 32, communicates with a dip tube 42 extending downwards, near the bottom 1a of the body 1. This tube allows the entry of compensating air into the bottom of the body 1 of the bottle.

It also provides safety and hygiene functions in the event of capsule 3 breaking.

Indeed, in the position of use, the level of the liquid accidentally spilled in the body 1 is located below the outlet of the dip tube 42 and, therefore, cannot penetrate into said tube and into the valve.

On the other hand, in the transport position, the liquid cannot rise through the dip tube.

This arrangement is interesting because, if nutrient liquid should enter the valve, it would be damaged by dried deposits which would affect hygiene and the proper functioning of the assembly.

In addition, it prevents the capsule 3 from interfering with the entry of compensating air into space D, the exit from the dip tube 42 opening below said capsule (FIG. 2).

The dip tube is preferably positioned in a longitudinal groove 43 formed in the body 1 and corresponding to an external rib of the latter, so as not to project into the interior space delimited by said body.

Various phases of operation of the bottle according to the invention are described below.

1. Purge:

Before feeding, the components of the bottle being assembled, manual crushing of the body 1 has the effect of compressing the air in the space D, between the capsule 3 containing the nutritive liquid and said body; the non-return valve 2 being closed, the capsule 3 is crushed and the air which it contains escapes by the nipple through the valves 5 and 19-20 and, more exactly, by the passage 8-11- 21-22-FE-18. When the body 1 is released, the pressures are reversed, the valves 19-20 and 5 close, the valve 2 opens and the air enters between said body 1 and the capsule 3.

Several successive pressures on the body 1 thus make it possible to expel the air which may be contained in the capsule 3 and in the nipple 12.

2. Temperature test:

The bottle being purged, an additional pressure spurts the liquid and allows to control the temperature.

3. Suction:

In the case of suction nutrition, the depression exerted by the child opens the valve 19-20, then the valve 6-7 and the liquid can flow through the passage 8-11-21-22-FE- 18, causing the progressive crushing of the capsule 3 and the entry of the compensating air into space D, by the valve 2 and the dip tube 42.

4. Pressure

The crushing of the envelope 13 of the teat 12 by the jaws of the newborn, causes an overpressure inside the latter, that is to say in the chamber F, this overpressure having the effect, on the one hand, to maintain the valve 6-7 in the closed position and, on the other hand, to ensure the opening of the valve 19-20 and the flow of the liquid contained in the teat, through the perforations 18 ( Figures 3 and 5).

When the jaws are released, the interior (chamber F) of the teat is in depression, the valve 19-20 closes so that air cannot enter chamber F, the valve 6-7 opens , the milk is sucked into the nipple and fills said chamber; the compensating air enters the space D, through the valve 2 and the dip tube 42 (Figures 4 and 6).

Claims (11)

1. Device of the feeding-bottle type, comprising:

   - an outer tubular body (1) including an open end (1b);

   - a capsule or flexible bag (3) disposed or capable of being disposed in this body and including also an open end (C) or formed for being open;

   - a means (2, 42) allowing to put the space (D), existing between this flexible capsule (3) and the body (1), in communication with the ambient air;

   - a specific teat (12) mounted or conformed to be mounted in front of the openings (A,C) of said body (1) and of said capsule (3);

   - and an intermediate non-return check valve (5) disposed between the open end (C) of said capsule (3) and the base of said teat (12)
   delimiting with this latter a dispensing chamber (F);

   characterized in that a second check valve (19, 20) is placed in the nipple piece (15) of the teat (12), between the dispensing chamber (F) and the outlet perforations (18) of said teat, wherein this second check valve (19-20) allows the passage of the nutrient liquid toward said outlet perforations (18) and opposes the entrance of air into said dispensing chamber (F).
2. Device of the feeding-bottle type, according to claim 1, characterized in that the nipple piece (15) of the teat (12) includes, internally, a narrowing (19) forming the seat of an axially movable valve (20), which is integral to an elastic means (23) allowing its axial movements of the valve (20) and tending to apply it on its seat (19).
3. Device of the feeding-bottle type, according to claim 2, characterized in that the valve (20) is formed by a circular flange, where the upper part is provided by a core (14) having an approximately conical shape and disposed in an outer, deformable casing (13) forming the so-called teat, where the base of this core presents a pleated, flexible and elastic skirt (23) forming the means which allow the axial movements of said valve and tending to apply same onto its seat.
4. Device of the feeding-bottle type, according to claim 3, characterized in that the side surface of the core (14) is furnished with longitudinal furrows (26).
5. Device of the feeding-bottle type, according to claim 3, characterized in that the core (14) includes at least one hole (22) in the neighborhood of its base.
6. Device of the feeding-bottle type, according to claim 3, characterized in that the base of the elastic skirt (23) is attached to a fixation and sealing flange (24).
7. Device of the feeding-bottle type, according to any one of the claims 1 - 6, characterized in that the intermediate non-return check valve (5) is formed by two membranes (6, 7) applied one against the other, where one (6) of these membranes is placed in front of the opening of the flexible capsule (3) and is rigid and furnished in its center with a circular hole (8) of a spheric form, while the second membrane (7) is deformable and made of a flexible and elastic material, and carries at its center a hump (10) of a spheric form oriented in the direction of the hole (8) of the rigid membrane, and one or several bores (11) disposed at a distance of its center part.
8. Device of the feeding-bottle type, according to claim 1, characterized in that the means allowing to bring the space (D), existing between the flexible capsule (3) and the body (1), into communication with the ambient air, comprises a check valve (2) installed in a lateral opening (B) of said body and disposed at the entrance of a conduit (42) leading to and opening near the bottom (1a) of this latter.
9. Device of the feeding-bottle type, according to claim 8, characterized in that the check valve (2) allowing the entrance of compensation air, can be adjusted, wherein this check valve comprises, for example, a valve (34), which is axially movable and subjected to the action of a restoring spring (35) tending to apply the valve (34) against its seat (33), wherein said check valve comprises a second spring (36) exerting an action onto the check valve which is opposite to that of the restoring spring (35), wherein a movable control button (37) allows, more or less, to compress said second spring, and wherein means (40, 41) allow to stop said control button (37) in the desired position.
10. Device of the feeding-bottle type, according to any of the claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the body (1) is made of a material which is sufficiently flexible and elastic in order to undergo a slight manual crushing and capable of recovering thereupon its initial shape.
11. Device of the feeding-bottle type, according to claim 1, characterized in that the usable flexible capsule (3', 3'') contains the nutrient preparation ready to use or in a dehydrated or in a freeze-dried form, and is closed in an impervious manner by means of a detachable cover lid (4).

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