EP2216009B1 - Feeding tool and system comprising such a tool - Google Patents

Abstract

The utensil (1) has a product supply pipe (7) for supplying a product e.g. food product, in a bowl (5). A fixation unit has elastically deformable projecting elements (21) and elastically deformable fixation parts (24) to fix the pipe to an interior of a delivering nozzle (3) of a product reservoir e.g. flexible pocket, where length of the pipe is equal to length of the nozzle. One of the fixation elements is projected from an external surface of the pipe. The pipe has an end (9) whose outer diameter is equal to or greater than inner diameter of the nozzle.

Description

The present invention relates to a feeding utensil of the type comprising a spoon, a conduit for feeding a product into the spoon, and means for fixing the supply duct to a mouthpiece of a reservoir suitable for containing said product, said fixing means comprising at least one duct fastening element inside said nozzle.

A feeding utensil, in particular described in the patent applications GB 2,382,020 , US 6,675,482 and US 2,252,119 , can feed people who do not know or no longer know how to use utensils to bring food to their mouths. Such people are especially young children or people with Alzheimer's disease.

Such utensils can allow these people with Alzheimer's disease to find the sensations of a normal diet of an adult.

The known feeding implements have problems of sealing between the attachment means with which they are equipped and the delivery caps of the tanks to which they are attached, for example by screwing or clipping.

Indeed, it was found that the product entering the duct also inserted between one end of the conduit attached to the nozzle of the tank, on the one hand, and the tip on the other. As a result, the product can leak outside the tank, which is uncomfortable for the user who handles the utensil or the tank.

To solve this problem, it is known from the document WO 80/02875 to provide that the duct is fixed inside the mouthpiece.

However, such utensils are not suitable for people who do not know or no longer know how to use utensils to bring food to their mouth, such as people with Alzheimer's disease or children below age, because these people do not have or are no longer used to open their mouths for food.

The invention aims to provide a feeding utensil suitable for people who do not know or no longer know how to use utensils to bring food to their mouth, to ensure a good seal between the conduit and the tip and an optimal fixation on the tank, while being adapted to facilitate the opening of the mouth.

These objectives are achieved by a feeding utensil of the aforementioned type, which is remarkable in that said spoon has on its outer surface protruding elements for the labial stimulation of a person to cause the opening of the mouth.

Fixing the conduit inside the nozzle provides a better seal than that obtained by fixing means outside the nozzle, in particular by screwing on the latter.

Indeed, the seal between the pipe and the tank is provided from the inside of the nozzle. This prevents any passage of the product out of the tip other than in the conduit that leads the product to be delivered into the spoon.

• l'élément de fixation est déformable élastiquement,
• l'élément de fixation comporte un élément de paroi du conduit,
• l'élément de fixation fait saillie sur la surface externe du conduit,
• l'élément saillant est apte à venir se placer derrière un épaulement interne de l'embout, l'épaulement interne formant butée et l'élément saillant prenant appui contre l'épaulement interne,
• le conduit présente une section longitudinale en forme de tronc de cône, dont le diamètre externe décroît entre une première extrémité débouchant dans le cuilleron et une seconde extrémité apte à déboucher dans le réservoir,
• la première extrémité présente un diamètre externe sensiblement égal ou supérieur au diamètre interne de l'embout,
• le conduit présente une longueur au moins égale à la longueur de l'embout.

The invention may also include the following features, taken separately or in combination:

• the fastening element is elastically deformable,
• the fixing element comprises a wall element of the duct,
• the fastener protrudes from the outer surface of the conduit,
• the projecting element is able to be placed behind an internal shoulder of the endpiece, the internal shoulder forming a stop and the projecting element bearing against the internal shoulder,
• the duct has a longitudinal section in the form of a truncated cone, whose outer diameter decreases between a first end opening into the spoon and a second end able to open into the tank,
• the first end has an outer diameter substantially equal to or greater than the internal diameter of the tip,
• the duct has a length at least equal to the length of the nozzle.

The invention also relates to a feeding system comprising a utensil as defined above, and a product tank equipped with a product delivery tip.

• il comporte des moyens de verrouillage en rotation du conduit dans l'embout,
• les moyens de verrouillage comportent des espaces creux ménagés sur le conduit coopérant avec des ailettes radiales internes à l'embout, aptes à s'insérer dans les espaces creux.
• le système comprend un ensemble de nourrissage dont l'élément saillant est apte à venir se placer derrière un épaulement interne à l'embout, l'épaulement interne formant butée et l'élément saillant prenant appui contre l'épaulement interne. Le système est remarquable en ce que l'épaulement est formé entre une première portion cylindrique, interne à l'embout, et une seconde portion cylindrique, interne à l'embout et adjacente à ladite première portion, la première portion présentant un diamètre interne inférieur au diamètre interne de la seconde portion.

The system according to the invention may comprise the following characteristics, taken separately or in combination:

• it comprises locking means in rotation of the duct in the mouthpiece,
• the locking means comprise hollow spaces formed on the duct cooperating with radial fins internal to the tip, adapted to be inserted into the hollow spaces.
• the system comprises a feeding assembly whose protruding element is adapted to be placed behind a shoulder internal to the endpiece, the internal shoulder forming abutment and the projecting element bearing against the inner shoulder. The system is remarkable in that the shoulder is formed between a first cylindrical portion, internal to the tip, and a second cylindrical portion, internal to the tip and adjacent to said first portion, the first portion having a lower internal diameter. to the inner diameter of the second portion.

• la figure 1 A est une vue de dessous d'un ustensile conforme à l'invention et d'un embout de réservoir,
• la figure 1 B est une vue de dessus d'une partie de l'ustensile montré en figure 1,
• la figure 2 est une vue en perspective éclatée de l'ustensile et de l'embout représentés en figure 1,
• la figure 3 est une vue en perspective de l'ustensile de la figure 1 dont le conduit est inséré partiellement dans l'embout de la figure 1,
• la figure 4 est une vue en perspective de l'ustensile de la figure 1 inséré et fixé dans l'embout de la figure 1,
• la figure 5 est une vue en perspective montrant partiellement, à plus grande échelle, une extrémité du conduit fixé dans l'embout,
• et la figure 6 est une vue axiale de l'ustensile fixé dans l'embout.

The invention will be further understood in the light of the embodiment which will now be presented, with reference to the appended figures among which:

• the figure 1 A is a bottom view of a utensil according to the invention and a reservoir tip,
• the figure 1 B is a top view of a portion of the utensil shown in figure 1 ,
• the figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the utensil and tip represented in figure 1 ,
• the figure 3 is a perspective view of the utensil of the figure 1 whose duct is partially inserted into the mouthpiece of the figure 1 ,
• the figure 4 is a perspective view of the utensil of the figure 1 inserted and fixed in the mouthpiece of the figure 1 ,
• the figure 5 is a perspective view partially showing, on a larger scale, an end of the duct fixed in the mouthpiece,
• and the figure 6 is an axial view of the utensil fixed in the mouthpiece.

A utensil 1 according to the invention and a reservoir tip 3 have been represented on the figure 1 A .

The utensil 1 comprises, in a manner known per se, a spoon 5 connected to a handle.

The spoon 5 has salient elements 6 on its outer surface, allowing the labial stimulation of a person to cause an opening of his mouth.

The projecting elements 6 are, for example, made in the form of projecting beads aligned along the length of the spoon.

The handle is hollow, and constitutes a conduit 7, a first end 9 of which opens into the spoon 5 ( Figure 1 B) , and a second end 11 of which is capable of being fixed to the end piece 3.

The tip 3 is a delivery tip that can be attached to a reservoir (not shown) that can contain a product to be delivered, such as a food product or a drug product.

Such a reservoir may, for example, be a flexible bag consisting of two flexible walls superimposed on one another and connected by their edges.

The delivery nozzle 3 comprises two fins of substantially flat profile 13 in the shape of a wedge, extending symmetrically on either side of a tubular neck of circular section 15.

The delivery tip 3 is fixed on the flexible bag, for example, by welding the two fins 13 between two edges of the two flexible walls forming the pocket.

The tubular neck 15 of the nozzle 3 has at one of its ends, a double thread 17 to allow the screwing of a cap (not shown).

The tubular neck 15 finally comprises, between the fins 13 and the double thread 17, flat projecting walls 19 which are perpendicular to the external surface of the neck 15, and which surround the tubular neck 15.

The walls 19 may have different dimensions, as shown by the Figures 1A, 2, 3 and 4 .

The walls 19 are preferably of polygonal section, and in the context of this embodiment, they are of octagonal section.

The polygonal section allows to maintain in place a tamper evident ring (not shown) which is linked to the edge of a closure cap by frangible bridges.

At least one of the walls 19 holds in place the tamperproof ring (for example by abutment) when the cap is unscrewed, so as to break the breakable bridges before a first use.

The utensil 1 according to the invention comprises means for fixing the duct 7 inside the mouthpiece 3.

The fastening means consist of the end 11 of the duct made to be elastically deformable, combined with the presence, on this end 11, of projecting elements 21.

To allow the elastic deformation of the end 11, the duct 7 is made of elastically deformable plastic material.

In addition, the wall of the duct comprises two axial notches 23, symmetrical, separating into two symmetrical parts 24 the end 11 of the duct 7.

The axial notches 23 allow the two parts 24 to be brought closer to each other so as to reduce the bulk of the end 11.

In this way, the end 11 is more easily introduced into the tubular neck 15 of the endpiece 3.

The salient elements 21 are four in number. Each of the two parts 24 has two salient elements 21, the two salient elements 21 of each of the parts 24 being separated by a hollow space 22 of small size compared to the dimension of the axial notches 23 ( figures 2 , 4 , 5 and 6 ).

The two projecting elements 21 of each of the parts 24 are made symmetrical with respect to a plane of symmetry passing through the two axial notches 23.

The projecting elements 21 secure the end 11 in the endpiece 3.

To do this, the tip 3 has a shoulder 29 which is internal to the tubular neck 15, behind which the projecting elements 21 come to bear when the two parts 24 of the end 11 return to their original shape, by elastic return, when the two parts 24 are not constrained.

The stressing of the two parts 24 is ensured by an internal portion 15 of the neck 15, said stress, whose inner diameter is smaller than the outer diameter of the end 11 in which the projecting elements 21 are inscribed when the end He is not constrained.

In this way, the end 11 must be introduced into the neck by forcing the two parts 24 of the end 11, that is to say, manually approaching the two parts 24 from each other, towards the end. end axis 11.

The neck 15 also comprises a second portion 27, called expansion, adjacent to the portion 25, of internal diameter greater than the internal diameter of the constraint portion 25, and in which the portions 24 of the end 11 can move apart. one of the other by elastic return.

The expansion portion 27 forms with the constraint portion 25 the shoulder 29 against which the projecting elements 21 are positioned and supported, as shown in particular on the figure 5 .

To ensure a good seal between the duct 7 and the neck 15, the duct 7 has a section in the form of a truncated cone, the outer diameter of which extends between the end 11 which is fixed in the endpiece 3 and the end 9 opening in the spoon (or decreases between the end 9 and the end 11).

The end 9 of the duct 7 has a diameter Ø substantially greater than the internal diameter of the constraint portion 25 of the nozzle 3.

The duct 7 has an annular portion 31 whose external diameter is substantially equal to the internal diameter of the stress portion 25 of the neck 15 ( Figure 1 B) .

Thus, the introduction of the duct 7 into the mouthpiece 3 ( figure 3 ) is, initially, braked when the inner surface of the constraint portion 25 of the tip 3 comes into contact with the outer surface of the duct 7.

The introduction of the duct 7 is stopped when the surface of the annular portion 31 of the duct 7 bears against the inner surface of the constraint portion 25 of the nozzle 3.

In this position, the seal is optimal between the outer surface of the duct 7 and the inner surface of the constraint portion 25 of the nozzle 3.

To maintain in this position the tip 3 and the conduit 7, the stroke of the duct 7 in the nozzle 3 is such that the fastening elements 21 are positioned against the shoulder 29 when the outer surface of the duct 7 bears against the internal surface of the constraint portion 25.

To do this, the length of the constraint portion 25 of the nozzle 3 is substantially equal to the length of the duct 7 between the projecting elements 21 and the annular wall 31.

The mouthpiece 3 and the duct 7 comprise means that cooperate together to prevent rotation of the duct 7 in the mouthpiece 3 ( Figures 2 to 6 ).

Such means are constituted by radial fins 33, internal to the expansion portion 27 and able to be housed in the hollow spaces 22 formed between two projecting elements 21 of the duct 7 ( Figures 5 and 6 ).

To do this, two consecutive fins 33 are spaced apart sufficiently to allow passage to a salient element 21 between them.

Preferably, the fins 33 are uniformly distributed over the inner surface of the expansion portion 27 and also constitute reinforcing elements of the wall of the tubular neck 15 of the nozzle 3.

Claims (12)

1. Feeding utensil (1) comprising a spoon (5), a pipe (7) for transferring a product into the spoon (5) and means for fitting the pipe on an end fitting (3) of a reservoir designed to contain said product, said fitting means comprising at least one element (21, 24) for fitting the pipe (7) inside said end fitting (3), characterised in that said spoon (5) has projecting elements (6) on its external face enabling a person to be labially stimulated, causing him to open his mouth.
2. Feeding utensil as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the fitting element (24) is elastically deformable.
3. Feeding utensil as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the fitting element (24) incorporates a wall element of said pipe (7).
4. Feeding utensil as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, characterised in that the fitting element (21) projects out from the external surface of said pipe (7).
5. Feeding utensil as claimed in claim 4, characterised in that the projecting element (21) is designed to be placed behind an internal shoulder (29) of said end fitting (3), the internal shoulder (29) acting as a stop and the projecting element (21) being supported against the internal shoulder (29).
6. Feeding utensil as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the pipe (7) has a longitudinal section in the shape of a truncated cone, the external diameter of which decreases between a first end (9) opening into said spoon and a second end (11) designed to open into said reservoir.
7. Utensil as claimed in claim 6, characterised in that said first end (9) has an external diameter that is substantially the same as or bigger than the internal diameter of said end fitting (3).
8. Feeding utensil as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said pipe (7) has a length at least equal to the length of said end fitting (3).
9. Feeding system comprising a utensil as claimed in any one of the preceding claims and a product reservoir fitted with an end fitting (3) for dispensing said product.
10. System as claimed in claim 9, characterised in that it has locking means (22, 23) for locking said pipe (7) in said end fitting (3) by rotation.
11. System as claimed in claim 10, characterised in that the locking means (22, 23) comprise hollow spaces (22) formed in said pipe (7) co-operating with radial lugs on the inside of said end fitting (3) designed to be inserted in said hollow spaces (22).
12. System as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 11, comprising a feeding unit as claimed in claim 5, characterised in that said shoulder is formed between a first cylindrical portion (25) inside said end fitting (3) and a second cylindrical portion (27) inside said end fitting (3) and adjacent to said first portion (25), said first portion (25) having an internal diameter which is smaller than the internal diameter of said second portion (27).

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