EP2358329B1 - Teat unit for feeding bottles - Google Patents

Description

Technical area

The invention relates to a teat unit for baby bottles according to the preamble of patent claim 1.

State of the art

Ideally, a baby drinks from the mother's breast. However, there are several reasons why this is not always possible. For many years, therefore, trying to develop nipples for baby bottles, which allow the baby as possible the nature modeled sucking. However, mother breasts do not have a uniform shape and neither are all babies willing to accept the same shape of a teat and drink from it. There are therefore in the prior art a wealth of differently shaped, sometimes relatively complicated constructed teat.

US 1 683 246 For example, shows a teat with reinforcing ribs on its inside to prevent closure of the suction opening during drinking. To put the nipple over a bottle opening, the lower portion of the body is stretched radially.

US 5,673,806 discloses a teat with a mouthpiece in which a coil spring is arranged. This coil spring allows an axial extension of the mouthpiece during suction and increases the stiffness of the mouthpiece, so that it can be pressed together only slightly in the radial direction. This teat is supposed to be one allow sucking on the mother's breast inspired drinking from the baby bottle.

US Pat. No. 6,161,710 shows a training suction nipple, which should teach the baby a proper sucking on the mother's breast. The nipple consists of two superposed membranes, with the baby having to pull the outer membrane lengthwise so that enough fluid can flow through the nipple opening.

Also WO 2006/040542 describes a nipple having an outer and an inner flexible sheath that are elongated during suction. Again, the goal is to recreate the natural sucking on the mother's breast.

WO 2007/137440 relates to a teat with a recording head of a dimensionally stable material and an absorbent body of a rubber-elastic material. In the recording head leading to Flascheninnem inlet channel and several of this to the outer surface of the recording head emerging channels are provided. The absorbent body is in a basic position elastically sealing on the outer surface of the recording head. When suckling milk channels are exposed, through which the milk can flow to the drinking opening.

FR 1 525 195 discloses a double-walled teat that can be inflated with air.

The abundance of different nipples means that parents of a drinking unwilling baby acquire different teat nipples and try them one after the other on their baby. This is not only expensive, but can also lead to the baby, after several failed attempts, even more reluctant to drink from a baby bottle.

Presentation of the invention

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a possibility which allows the parents to try in a most cost-effective and simple way differently shaped teat. This object is achieved by a teat unit with the features of patent claim 1.

The inventive Saugnippeleinheit for a feeding bottle has a teat and a manually operable adjustment mechanism, which changes the shape and / or the stiffness of the teat. The nipple can thus be adjusted to a desired appearance, and this preferably in a repeatable manner. The manifestation relates in particular to the external shape and in particular to the shape presented to the baby when it takes the teat in the mouth. Preferably, the mouthpiece is changed in shape, in particular in its length. The shape of the base can essentially be maintained or changed.

Thus, it is sufficient to have a single teat to adjust the usual for the baby or the baby form of the nipple or to find another accepted by the baby shape and stiffness. This adjustment can be made on the teat before the bottle is offered to the baby. But it can also be done while suckling.

If the shape and / or stiffness is set, it is maintained until the adjustment mechanism is actuated again or, although it changes due to the suction process, then preferably returns to the set basis.

This reverses the change in shape and / or stiffness achieved by the adjustment mechanism so that the nipple can also be adapted to the changing needs of the baby and a previously discarded setting can be offered again.

It has been shown that babies respond differently to different lengths of teat. In a preferred embodiment, therefore, the length of the suction nipple by means of the adjustment mechanism is variable. In particular, the teat can be extended and contract, in particular shorten.

In a further embodiment, the width of the teat can be changed, wherein the length remains unchanged or the length is changed.

The change in the shape and / or the stiffness of the suction nipple can be rotationally symmetrical or asymmetrical with respect to its longitudinal center axis.

Suction nipples usually have at least one base or a basic body, a mouthpiece and a transition region between the base body and mouthpiece. The main body is often referred to as Nippelbasis. In a preferred embodiment, at least this transition region, which is normally applied to the lips of the baby or is enclosed by them, changeable in its shape and / or stiffness.

The length and width of the teat can be varied in a simple embodiment by stretching the material of the teat. In order to change the length but also the stiffness in a simple manner and without damaging the suction nipple, the suction nipple preferably has at least one region with increased extensibility. This area can be formed by appropriately arranged excess material by the material is arranged, for example, hand organ or terraced. Preferably, one of these areas is the above-mentioned transition area.

The adjustment mechanism can be constructed in various ways. For example, he may exert a pull and / or pressure on the teat. This force can be done on the outside or the inside of the teat. Furthermore, the adjustment mechanism may move during adjustment and / or the suction nipple is moved to achieve relative movement between the suction nipple and the adjustment mechanism.

In a preferred embodiment, the adjustment mechanism has an adjusting member which projects into the teat and its position relative to the teat by means of of the adjustment mechanism is changeable. The adjusting member is preferably formed as a sliding element, which is arranged in an inner cavity of the suction nipple, wherein the sliding element is movable relative to the suction nipple. Preferably, the Saugnippeleinheit has a manually operable actuating or drive element, which is operatively connected to the adjusting member to press it against an inner side of the teat and so to change the shape and / or stiffness of the teat. In a preferred embodiment, the drive member is capable of moving the adjustment member both toward a suction port and away from the suction port relative to the suction nipple.

In a preferred embodiment, the adjusting member is a head which projects into the teat, preferably in the region of increased extensibility. The position of the head relative to the teat is changeable by means of the adjustment mechanism. The head can move and / or the teat is moved. In a preferred embodiment, the teat is moved.

In a preferred embodiment, the head has a mushroom-shaped outer shape, which is formed by downwardly-shaped flower-shaped lamellae. These lamellae may be rotationally symmetrical or asymmetrical with respect to the longitudinal central axis of the teat.

For attachment of the suction nipple on the suction bottle, the teat unit preferably has a one-piece or multi-piece Saugnippelverbinder. This Saugnippelverbinder preferably includes the drive element or the actuating element of the adjustment mechanism and is used for adjustment or adjustment of the suction nipple.

In a preferred embodiment, the Saugnippelverbinder consists essentially of a base part and a mounting ring together. The base part can be screwed onto a neck of the suction bottle. The teat nipple is releasably held in the mounting ring, wherein the mounting ring is detachably connectable to the base part.

The above-mentioned adjusting member is preferably arranged on this base part and penetrated by the mounting ring. By relative change in the position of the fastening ring to the base part, the position of the adjusting member can be changed relative to the teat. Preferably, this relative change in position of the mounting ring takes place exclusively by displacement of the mounting ring in the axial direction. Rotational movements are also possible. The fastening ring preferably acts as an actuating or drive element.

The adjustability may be continuous or in discrete steps, i. gradually, done.

The construction can be made relatively simple if the mounting ring is variable in position with respect to the base part, ie, the suction nipple moves and not the adjusting member.

Further advantageous embodiments will become apparent from the dependent claims.

Brief description of the drawings

Figur 1

eine Seitenansicht einer Saugflasche mit einer erfindungsgemässen Saugnippeleinheit gemäss einer ersten Ausführungsform;

Figur 2

die Saugflasche mit der Saugnippeleinheit gemäss Figur 1 in einer perspektivischen Explosionsdarstellung;

Figur 3

einen Längsschnitt durch die Saugflasche und die Saugnippeleinheit gemäss Figur 1;

Figur 4

den Längsschnitt gemäss Figur 3 in einer Explosionsdarstellung;

Figur 5

eine Saugflasche mit einer erfindungsgemässen Saugnippeleinheit gemäss einer zweiten Ausführungsform in einer perspektivischen Explosionsdarstellung;

Figur 6

einen Längsschnitt durch den Saugnippel gemäss Figur 5;

Figur 7

einen Längsschnitt in Explosionsdarstellung durch eine Saugflasche und eine erfindungsgemässe Saugnippeleinheit gemäss einer dritten Ausführungsform;

Figur 8

einen Längsschnitt durch die Saugflasche und die Saugnippeleinheit gemäss Figur 7 im zusammengestellten Zustand;

Figur 9

eine perspektivische Explosionsdarstellung der Saugflasche und der Saugnippeleinheit gemäss Figur 7;

Figur 10

einen Längsschnitt durch eine erfindungsgemässe Saugnippeleinheit auf einer Flasche gemäss einer vierten Ausführungsform in einer ersten Position;

Figur 11

die Saugnippeleinheit gemäss Figur 10 in einer zweiten Position;

Figur 12

die Saugnippeleinheit gemäss Figur 10 in einer dritten Position

Figur 13

einen Längsschnitt durch eine erfindungsgemässe Saugnippeleinheit auf einer Flasche gemäss einer fünften Ausführungsform in einer ersten Position;

Figur 14

die Saugnippeleinheit gemäss Figur 13 in einer zweiten Position;

Figur 15

die Saugnippeleinheit gemäss Figur 13 in einer dritten Position;

Figur 16

eine perspektivische Explosionsdarstellung der Saugnippeleinheit mit Flasche gemäss Figur 13;

Figur 17

einen ersten Längsschnitt durch eine erfindungsgemässe Saugnippeleinheit, befestigt auf einer Flasche, in einer sechsten Ausführungsform;

Figur 18

die Saugnippeleinheit gemäss Figur 17 in einem Längsschnitt senkrecht zum Schnitt gemäss Figur 17;

Figur 19

eine perspektivische Darstellung der Saugnippeleinheit gemäss Figur 17;

Figur 20

einen Längsschnitt durch die Saugnippeleinheit gemäss Figur 17 in einer zweiten Position;

Figur 21

die Saugnippeleinheit gemäss Figur 20 in einem Längsschnitt senkrecht zum Schnitt gemäss Figur 20 und

Figur 22

eine perspektivische Darstellung der Saugnippeleinheit gemäss Figur 20.

In the following, the subject invention will be explained with reference to preferred embodiments, which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Like reference numerals are used for like parts. Show it:

FIG. 1

a side view of a suction bottle with a novel Saugnippeleinheit according to a first embodiment;

FIG. 2

the suction bottle with the teat unit according to FIG. 1 in a perspective exploded view;

FIG. 3

a longitudinal section through the suction bottle and the Saugnippeleinheit according to FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 4

the longitudinal section according to FIG. 3 in an exploded view;

FIG. 5

a suction bottle with an inventive Saugnippeleinheit according to a second embodiment in a perspective exploded view;

FIG. 6

a longitudinal section through the teat according to FIG. 5 ;

FIG. 7

a longitudinal section in an exploded view through a suction bottle and an inventive Saugnippeleinheit according to a third embodiment;

FIG. 8

a longitudinal section through the suction bottle and the Saugnippeleinheit according to FIG. 7 in the assembled state;

FIG. 9

an exploded perspective view of the suction bottle and the Saugnippeleinheit according FIG. 7 ;

FIG. 10

a longitudinal section through an inventive Saugnippeleinheit on a bottle according to a fourth embodiment in a first position;

FIG. 11

the teat unit according to FIG. 10 in a second position;

FIG. 12

the teat unit according to FIG. 10 in a third position

FIG. 13

a longitudinal section through an inventive Saugnippeleinheit on a bottle according to a fifth embodiment in a first position;

FIG. 14

the teat unit according to FIG. 13 in a second position;

FIG. 15

the teat unit according to FIG. 13 in a third position;

FIG. 16

an exploded perspective view of the teat unit with bottle according to FIG. 13 ;

FIG. 17

a first longitudinal section through a teat unit according to the invention, mounted on a bottle, in a sixth embodiment;

FIG. 18

the teat unit according to FIG. 17 in a longitudinal section perpendicular to the section according to FIG. 17 ;

FIG. 19

a perspective view of the teat unit according to FIG. 17 ;

FIG. 20

a longitudinal section through the teat unit according to FIG. 17 in a second position;

FIG. 21

the teat unit according to FIG. 20 in a longitudinal section perpendicular to the section according to FIG. 20 and

FIG. 22

a perspective view of the teat unit according to FIG. 20 ,

Ways to carry out the invention

In the FIGS. 1 to 4 a first embodiment of an inventive teat unit is shown.

FIG. 1 shows a suction bottle 5 of known type. As best in FIG. 4 it is recognizable it has a bottle body 50 for receiving the milk or the liquid. On the bottle body 50, a neck 51 is formed, which compared to the bottle body 50 has a smaller inner and outer diameter. At the neck 51, an external thread 52 is formed. It terminates in an upper bottle opening 53 through which the milk or liquid can pass into the teat unit located on the neck of the bottle.

The teat unit has a teat 1, a base part 2 and a fixing ring 3, 4. The individual parts are in the Figures 2 and 4 well recognizable, the mounting on the feeding bottle is best in FIG. 3 , The base part 2 and the fastening ring 3, 4 are preferably made of plastic and in particular produced by injection molding.

The teat 1 is preferably made of rubber, silicone or other suitable flexible material. Preferably, it is integrally formed. The teat 1 is hollow. Its wall thickness is preferably relatively thin and corresponds to the wall thicknesses of the suction nipple according to the prior art.

The teat is rotationally symmetrical and has a base body 14, a transition region 13 formed thereon and a mouthpiece 11 that tapers towards a free end. At the free end of the mouthpiece 12 there is a suction opening 12 through which the milk or liquid can be sucked out of the suction nipple. At the other end of the main body 14, an opening is also present, which is connected to the suction opening, so that the liquid can pass from a vessel 5 to the suction opening. In addition, a peripheral, outwardly projecting flange 15 is present at this end of the base body 14, which has one or more interruptions 150. At the lower, inner end of the flange 15, a collar 16 projects vertically downwards. The main body 14 has a hollow cylindrical shape with a perpendicular to the flange 15 and parallel to a central axis extending jacket. A horizontally extending step 17 leads into the transition region 13. The transition region 13 is formed slightly bent in the longitudinal section to the outside.

In the example shown here, the transition region 13 of the teat 1 is formed as a region of increased extensibility. He tapers this terraced or bellows in the direction of mouthpiece 11th

The teat 1 may have over its entire circumference a constant wall thickness. However, individual areas can also be made stiffer than the others. For example, the base body 14, the flange 15 and the collar 16 may be made stiffer than the mouthpiece 11. The transition region 13 is preferably the most flexible zone of the teat 1.

The base part 2 has an essentially hollow-cylindrical, relatively flat base body 20. The main body 20 is provided with an internal thread 25 so that it can be screwed onto a bottle neck 51. Retaining ribs 21 are integrally formed on its jacket. These each extend at a constant height over the entire circumference of the base body 20. The retaining ribs 21 are triangular in cross-section with downwardly directed tips. In this example, there are three such ribs 21. These ribs 21 are interrupted by vertically extending guide webs 24, which preferably extend over all the ribs 21. The guide webs 24 project outwards. They are preferably distributed uniformly over the outer circumference of the main body 20. In this example, five such webs 24 are present. A different number is possible.

The upper region of the main body 20 preferably forms a flat surface. It is closed except for a few, preferably uniformly and rotationally symmetrically distributed passage openings 23. The openings 23 are arranged in this example rosette around a central axis of the base body 20 and have a rounded triangular shape or a teardrop shape. Other shapes and arrangements are possible, however.

An adjustment member in the form of a shield or head 22 projects beyond the upper surface of the Base 20 and is attached to this or, as shown here, integrally connected with her. It is arranged centrally on the base body 20. The head 22 has a vertically upwardly directed style 220, on which slats 221 are arranged. The fins 221 are formed by triangular or teardrop-shaped leaves, which are slightly bent downwards. They form a mushroom-shaped common surface. However, this is not formed completely closed, but has due to the distances of the slats to each other passages.

The fastening ring is formed in two parts. It has a lower part 3 and an upper part 4. The lower part 3 consists essentially of a hollow cylindrical base body 30. It has on its outer shell an indentation, in which a snap closure element 31, here a retaining lug, is arranged. On the diagonally opposite side of the shell, a hinge joint 34 is present. The main body 30 is provided with guide slots 32 which extend in the axial direction, that is perpendicular. They are at least opposite the inside of the body 30 and down to the bottle 5 open towards. Preferably, however, they enforce the entire wall thickness of the main body 30, wherein they have a lower height than the base body 30. At the lower end of the base body 30 is a constant height to the surrounding latching nose 33 is present. The nose tip is directed upwards and inwards.

The upper part 4 of the mounting ring also has a hollow cylindrical base body 40. It has on its outer shell a snap closure element 43, here a resilient hook on. At the diagonally opposite end of the shell, a hinge 41 is formed. A passage opening is provided with the reference numeral 42.

The following describes how the teat unit can be assembled and mounted on a bottle 5 or a drinking vessel. The teat 1 is placed between the lower part 3 and the upper part 4 of the fastening ring. These two parts 3, 4 are connected to each other via the hinge 34, 41, wherein they are pivotable relative to each other. The teat 1 is located as in FIG. 3 is recognizable with its flange 15 on the flat upper surface of the lower part 3. The at least one interruption 150 makes it possible that when sucking on the teat 1 air can get into the bottle. The collar 16 protrudes on the inside of the lower part 3 down. The upper part 4 is folded over the cylindrical or frusto-conical base body 14 of the suction nipple 1 and encloses this. In this case, the upper part 4 projects preferably over the entire circumference over the upper end of the main body 14 of the teat 1 and joins the step 17. If the snap closure between the lower and upper part 3, 4 closed, the flange 15 is clamped between these two parts 3.4 and the nipple 1 is sealingly held in this mounting ring 3.4.

The lower part of the fastening ring 3 can be arranged beforehand or now subsequently on the base part 2. For this purpose, it is slipped over the base body 20 of the base part 2, wherein the guide webs 21 of the base part engage in the guide slots 32 of the lower part 3. The fixing ring 3 engages behind one of the retaining ribs 21 with its circumferential latching nose 33. If the guide slots 32 extend continuously to the outer jacket of the lower part 3, they simultaneously serve as spring elements which facilitate a displacement of the lower part 3 relative to the base part 2. The lower part 3 can optionally be snapped onto one of the retaining ribs 21 and thus its position changed or adjusted.

The teat unit thus assembled can now be mounted on the bottle 5. For this purpose, the base part 2 is screwed onto the bottle neck 51. The base part 2 can be attached to the bottle in other known manner. In addition, first the base part 2 can be screwed on and only then the mounting ring can be mounted on it. Furthermore, the lower part 3 of the fastening ring can be arranged in advance on the base part 2 and the teat 1 only then between the two parts 3, 4 are clamped. Alternatively, the teat can also be arranged in a fastening ring, which tightly fixes the teat by a threaded connection.

According to the invention can now be the mounting ring, more precisely, lower part 3, in arrange different positions on the base part 2. Depending on which rib 21 the latching nose 33 engages, the lower part 3 passes through the base part 2 more or less strongly. The head 22 thus projects more or less into the teat 1. That is, in the lowest position of the latching nose 33 of the head 22 passes through the teat 1 the strongest and extends it the most.

Since the outer diameter and the shape of the head 22 is adapted to the teat 1, the head 22 abuts against the inside of the teat 1. Preferably, it lies in the transition region 13. If now the lower part 3 is moved to a rib 21 located further down, the suction nipple 1 also moves downwards and pushes more strongly against the head 22. The teat 1 and in particular the transition region 13 are stretched and the teat is thereby extended. The stiffness or flexibility of the suction nipple 1 and in particular of the mouthpiece 11 as well as of the baby's lips transition region 13 are hardly changed in this example, since the transition region 13 absorbs the change in length by its folds or its terracing.

The mother or the father can thus specifically, alone by moving the lower part 3 of the mounting ring, change the shape and / or the rigidity of the teat 1. The teat 1 does not have to be removed from the bottle 5. The adjustment can be made just before the bottle is offered to the baby. It is even possible to do the change while sucking.

In this example, the adjustment is achieved by a pure axial displacement of the mounting ring 3. It would also be possible to additionally perform a rotary motion. However, the pure axial movement is preferred because it can be performed during suction and no radial forces are transmitted from the head 22 to the teat 1.

In the FIGS. 5 and 6 shows a second embodiment of the invention Saugnippeleinheit shown. This example differs from the first one described only by the shape of the suction nipple 1. The transition region 13 is not formed terraced in this example, so that thins when stretching the teat 1 by means of the head 20, the wall thickness of the teat 1. Furthermore, the transition region 13 is designed slightly curved inward in the longitudinal section. If the head 22 acts on the inside of this transition region 13, the inwardly bent flanks are arched outwards.

In the embodiment according to the FIGS. 7 to 9 Both the teat 1 and the head 22 is changed. The teat 1 again has no bellows-like transition region. However, it has in its upper, the mouthpiece 12 facing region on a flatter slope than the teat according to the FIGS. 5 and 6 , The head 22 is provided with more downwardly inclined blades 221 as compared to the head of the first two embodiments described above. The diameter of the mushroom head formed by the fins 221 is thereby smaller. This head 22 extends further into the teat 1 as the two embodiments described above.

This head 22 can also be used with the teat 1 of the first two embodiments or with differently shaped teat 1. Furthermore, the teat nipples 1 of the three examples can be used with the two heads described herein, or they can be changed in shape and / or stability with differently shaped heads or adjustment mechanisms.

In the FIGS. 10 to 11 an embodiment is shown in which the freely accessible length of the mouthpiece 11 can be changed without the width of this freely accessible area is changed. The basic structure of the teat unit corresponds to that of the examples described above and will therefore not be explained again in detail here. Identical parts are provided with the same reference numerals. Again, the base part 2 is screwed onto a liquid container 5. The base part 2 has passage openings 23 through which the liquid can pass from the container 5 into the suction nipple 1. The teat 1 is between a lower and an upper mounting ring 3, 4 sealingly clamped and the lower mounting ring 3 engages behind with a latching nose 33 one of the retaining ribs 21 of the base part second

In contrast to the embodiments described above, the sliding member is now formed not as a rigid mushroom-shaped head but as a cylindrical rigid pillar 22 ', which is arranged on the base body 20 and extends from the latter to the upper end of the mouthpiece 11. So that he does not close the suction opening 12, he has at its upper free end a passage opening 222 which connects the interior of the suction nipple 1 with the suction opening 12. As a result, the liquid can still pass from the container 5 to the suction opening 12.

In FIG. 10 is the lower mounting ring 3 hooked with its latching nose 33 below the lowest return rib 21. The mounting ring 3 is thus in its lowest position. The mouthpiece 11 is completely freely accessible to the baby's mouth.

In the FIG. 11 is the lower mounting ring 3 in a higher position. The latching nose 33 engages behind the middle retaining rib 21. Since the uppermost part of the mouthpiece 11 is supported on the pillar 22 ', the mouthpiece 11 is compressed in the transition region to the base body 14. The freely accessible to the mouth area of the mouthpiece 11 is shortened. The same applies to the entire length of the teat 1.

In FIG. 12 is the lower mounting ring 3 in the uppermost position, ie the latching nose 33 engages behind the uppermost retaining rib 21. The transition region 13 is even more compressed, further shortens the freely accessible area of the mouthpiece 11 and the same also applies to the entire teat. 1

As by comparing the three FIGS. 10 to 12 can be seen, neither the width of the suction nipple, nor the width of the base body 14 has been changed. The outer shape of the base body 14, which essentially forms the mouth support, is approximately the same in all three positions.

In the FIGS. 13 to 16 an embodiment is shown in which the sliding element 22 'moves and the teat 1 remains in its position. For this purpose, the base part 2 is formed in two parts. It has an outer ring 26, on which the pillar 22 'is arranged. The outer ring 26 encloses the main body 20 of the base part 2. The main body 20 has only one retaining lug 21, which holds the lower mounting ring 3 in its position. However, the base body 20 of the base part 2 is provided with guide webs 27 which engage in guide grooves 223 of the outer ring 26.

The lower mounting ring 3 has a cage 3 'and an actuating ring 6. The actuating ring 6 surrounds the cage 3 '. The actuating ring 6 has on its inner circumference on a rising link guide 60. On the outer circumference of the outer ring 26 are uniformly distributed projecting nubs 224 arranged, which engage in the slotted guide 60.

A rotational movement of the actuating ring 6 is transmitted via the slotted guide 60 on the knobs 224 of the outer ring 26. This moves due to the guide slots 223 and guide webs 27 in the axial direction to the base body 20 of the base part 2, so that the pillar 22 'moves upward and the mouthpiece 11 of the teat 1 stretches.

In this example, the upper mounting ring 4 is dome-shaped or hemispherical and extends to the mouthpiece 11. It serves as an oral support, so that the baby always perceives the same basic shape of the teat despite the changed length of the mouthpiece 11. The fastening ring 4 is preferably flexible or soft in this area.

In the FIGS. 17 to 22 an inventive embodiment is shown, in which the teat is changed asymmetrically to its longitudinal central axis. Again, a rotation system exists, as it already above based on the FIGS. 14 to 16 has been described.

The FIGS. 17 and 18 show the teat in a first position with short teat. As can be seen, the sliding member again has a stem 220 and fins 221. Here, however, the fins 221 are not rotationally symmetrical. This leads to a flattened mouthpiece 11, as in FIG. 19 is recognizable.

In the FIGS. 20 and 21 The same nipple is now shown in a second position with a long nipple. The stem 220 and the blades 221 are raised by means of the rotary ring 6 and the outer ring 26. As in FIG. 22 recognizable, the mouthpiece 11 is opposite FIG. 19 extended, but still flattened.

Thanks to the teat unit according to the invention, one and the same teat can be used in various forms. The nipple can be adapted to the needs of the baby before or during sucking.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

teat

11

mouthpiece

12

suction opening

13

Transition area

14

body

15

flange

150

interruption

16

collar

17

step

2

base

20

body

21

Retaining rib

22

head

22 '

pier

220

stalk

221

lamella

222

Through opening

223

guide

224

burl

23

Through opening

24

guide web

25

inner thread

26

outer ring

27

guide web

3

lower part of the mounting ring

3 '

Cage

30

body

31

Snap element

32

guide slots

33

latching lug

34

hinge

4

upper part of the mounting ring

40

body

41

hinge

42

Through opening

43

Snap element

5

feeding bottle

50

bottle body

51

neck

52

external thread

53

bottle opening

6

actuating ring

60

link guide

Claims (13)

1. Teat unit for a feeding bottle (5) with a teat (1), wherein the teat unit has an adjustment mechanism (2, 3) and wherein the teat (1) can be manually changed, in terms of its shape and/or stiffness, by means of this adjustment mechanism (2, 3), characterized in that the change in shape and/or stiffness is reversible.
2. Teat unit according to Claim 1, wherein the length of the teat (1) can be changed by means of the adjustment mechanism (2, 3).
3. Teat unit according to one of Claims 1 or 2, wherein the teat (1) has a main body (14), a mouthpiece (11), and a transition area (13) between main body (14) and mouthpiece (11), and wherein at least this transition area (13) can be changed in terms of its shape and/or stiffness.
4. Teat unit according to Claim 3, wherein the transition area (13) has an area of increased extensibility compared to the main body (14) and to the mouthpiece (11).
5. Teat unit according to one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein the adjustment mechanism (2, 3) has an adjustment member (22) which protrudes into the teat (1) and whose position relative to the teat (1) can be changed by means of the adjustment mechanism (2, 3).
6. Teat unit according to Claim 5, wherein the adjustment member is a push element which is arranged in an inner cavity of the teat, wherein the push element is movable relative to the teat, and wherein the teat unit has an actuating or driving element that is operatively connected to the push element, wherein the actuating or driving element can be operated by a user in order to press the push element against an inner face of the teat and thus change the shape and/or stiffness of the teat.
7. Teat unit according to Claim 6, wherein the actuating or driving element is able to move the push element relative to the teat both in a direction towards a suction opening and also in a direction away from the suction opening.
8. Teat unit according to one of Claims 5 to 7, wherein the adjustment member (22) has a mushroomlike outer shape and is formed by downwardly directed leaf-shaped lamellae (221).
9. Teat unit according to one of Claims 1 to 8, wherein it comprises a one-part or multi-part teat connector (2, 3, 4) for connecting the teat (1) to the feeding bottle (5), and wherein the adjustment is effected by means of this teat connector (2, 3, 4).
10. Teat unit according to Claim 9, wherein the teat connector has a base part (2) and a securing ring (3, 4), wherein the base part (2) can be screwed onto a neck (50) of the feeding bottle (5) and the teat (1) is held releasably in the securing ring (3, 4), and wherein the securing ring (3, 4) can be connected releasably to the base part (2).
11. Teat unit according to Claim 10, wherein the adjustment member (22) is arranged on the base part (2) and is passed through by the securing ring (3, 4), and wherein the position of the adjustment member (22) relative to the teat (1) changes as a result of a relative change of the position of the securing ring (3, 4) with respect to the base part (2).
12. Teat unit according to Claim 11, wherein the relative change of the position of the securing ring (3, 4) is effected exclusively by moving the securing ring (3, 4) in the axial direction.
13. Teat unit according to one of Claims 11 or 12, wherein the position of the securing ring (3, 4) relative to the base part (2) can be changed in discrete steps.

Images