GB2067416A

GB2067416A - Feeding device

Info

Publication number: GB2067416A
Application number: GB8001998A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: CHIOU LONG FEI; WEY YEONG KWAN YEH TIAN SHOW
Current assignee: CHIOU LONG FEI; WEY YEONG KWAN YEH TIAN SHOW
Priority date: 1980-01-21
Filing date: 1980-01-21
Publication date: 1981-07-30

Abstract

A feeding device comprises a feed bottle 1 with a connector 2 which connects a suction pipe 23 within the bottle 1 to a flexible feeding tube 22 extending externally of the bottle 1 to a nipple assembly 3. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Feeding device The present invention relates to feeding devices.

More particularly it relates to feeding devices which include a feed bottle and which can be used to feed milk or other fluid to infants, patients, etc.

It is a disadvantage of conventional feed bottles that the bottle has to be held by hand.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a feeding device comprising a feed bottle with a connector which connects a suction pipe within the bottle to a flexible feeding tube extending externally of the bottle to a nipple assembly.

The user of such a bottle does not need to hold it since the nipple is at the end of a flexible feeding tube extending from the bottle.

Preferably the connector includes a disc generally transverse of the local common axis of the suction pipe and feeding tube. It is also preferred that the suction tube is weighted to assume a perpendicular position.

The nipple assembly suitably comprises a nipple retained in and extending from a retaining ring, a valve disc with an axially bored plug forming a ball valve between the feeding tube and the nipple to prevent backward flow of liquid, and a valve seat to which the retaining ring is secured and with which the valve disc with plug is sealingly secured. The valve disc of the nipple assembly can then have a plurality of through apertures extending through the axial bore of the plug.

Preferably an upstanding pin is provided on the connector and a cooperating bore is provided on the nipple assembly, so that the nipple assembly may be releasably fastened on the connector.

The feeding tube is conveniently of plastics with a reinforcing helical metal winding.

An embodiment of the invention will now be more particularly described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side view of a feeding device of the invention; Figure 2 is an exploded view of the device of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a longitudinal cross section of a cap of the device of Figure 1; and Figure 4 is a longitudinal cross section of a nipple assembly of the device of Figure 1.

As shown in the Figures, the components of a feeding device embodying the present invention include a bottle body 1, cap 2, and nipple assembly 3.

The cap 2 is a screw-fit onto thread 11 of the bottle 1 to secure in position a connector disc 21, with a packing disc 221 being interposed to ensure a good seal. Connector disc 21 has a through-bore extending through from a lower tube 211 to an upper tube 212. The upper tube 212 is connected to a feeding tube 22 of sanitary plastics reinforced with windings 221 of stainless steel, while the lower tube 211 is connected to a suction pipe 23 of softish sanitary plastics and having a ball weight 231 with hoie at its end remote from the disc 21. Thus the suction pipe 23 is communication with the feeding tube 22.

The nipple assembly 3 is mounted on the end of the feeding tube 22 remote from the connector disc and comprises a nipple 4 mounted within a retaining ring 31 to extend through an aperture 311 formed centrally in the retaining ring 31. The ring 31 has an internal screw-thread and is a screw-fit on an external screw-thread 321 of sleeve 332 of valve seat 32 to secure in position a valve disc 34 and a soft packing disc 35.

A plug 341 with an axial bore is sealed to valve seat 32 and sleeve 332 and extends beneath the valve disc 34. Many exit bores 342 are formed in the disc, above the bore. A ball 324 in the bore of plug 341 forms a ball valve to control flow in internal tube 323 of the valve seat 32.

A removable cover 41 serves to protect the nipple when not in use.

To one side the cap 2 has a spindle upstanding from a spindle seat 24. The retaining ring 31 has a spindle sleeve 33 at one side, and the sleeve 33 can be fitted onto the spindle of the cap 2, thereby serving releasablyto harness the nipple assembly 3 to the cap 2 on the bottle 1.

In using the present feeding device, the cover 41 is removed from the nipple 4 after the bottle 1 has been filled with a liquid, eg milk. The nipple is then taken in to the mouth of the infant or other human or animal being fed. Because the feeding tube 22 and nipple assembly 3 can be extended away from the bottle 1, the bottle can be left free-standing. During sucking, the ball 324 is lifted within the sleeve 322 and fluid can easily be withdrawn. The stainless steel windings 221 around the feeding tube 22 help maintain the flow, even if the tube 22 is folded.

As the level of liquid falls, so the ball weight 231 of the suction tube 23 will remain in the bottom of the bottle to permit continued withdrawal of liquid.

Moreover, even when the bottle is slanted, the ball weight 231 will keep the end of the tube 23 below the level of the liquid, down to the last few drops.

When the user stops sucking, the ball valve 324 will drop back to close offthetube 323. In addition, when the user has finished sucking but liquid remains in the bottle, it is possible to screw down tightly the retaining ring 31 and constrict the bore linking tube 323 with sleeve 322. In this way the bottle can be sealed against leaks.

In summary the feeding device has the advantage that the user can suck liquid from the bottle without the need for the bottle to be held. The use of a weighted suction pipe allows virtually all the fluid to be withdrawn, and yet the valves permit the flow of liquid to be closed off as desired.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiment shown. For example, any shape of bottle could be fitted to the device. Moreover, if desired, a hook can be formed in the side of the bottle to allow it to be carried orto be hung in a convenient position.

1. Afeeding device comprising a feed bottle with a connector which connects a suction pipe within the bottle to a flexible feeding tube extending externally

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Feeding device The present invention relates to feeding devices. More particularly it relates to feeding devices which include a feed bottle and which can be used to feed milk or other fluid to infants, patients, etc. It is a disadvantage of conventional feed bottles that the bottle has to be held by hand. In accordance with the present invention there is provided a feeding device comprising a feed bottle with a connector which connects a suction pipe within the bottle to a flexible feeding tube extending externally of the bottle to a nipple assembly. The user of such a bottle does not need to hold it since the nipple is at the end of a flexible feeding tube extending from the bottle. Preferably the connector includes a disc generally transverse of the local common axis of the suction pipe and feeding tube. It is also preferred that the suction tube is weighted to assume a perpendicular position. The nipple assembly suitably comprises a nipple retained in and extending from a retaining ring, a valve disc with an axially bored plug forming a ball valve between the feeding tube and the nipple to prevent backward flow of liquid, and a valve seat to which the retaining ring is secured and with which the valve disc with plug is sealingly secured. The valve disc of the nipple assembly can then have a plurality of through apertures extending through the axial bore of the plug. Preferably an upstanding pin is provided on the connector and a cooperating bore is provided on the nipple assembly, so that the nipple assembly may be releasably fastened on the connector. The feeding tube is conveniently of plastics with a reinforcing helical metal winding. An embodiment of the invention will now be more particularly described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side view of a feeding device of the invention; Figure 2 is an exploded view of the device of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a longitudinal cross section of a cap of the device of Figure 1; and Figure 4 is a longitudinal cross section of a nipple assembly of the device of Figure 1. As shown in the Figures, the components of a feeding device embodying the present invention include a bottle body 1, cap 2, and nipple assembly 3. The cap 2 is a screw-fit onto thread 11 of the bottle 1 to secure in position a connector disc 21, with a packing disc 221 being interposed to ensure a good seal. Connector disc 21 has a through-bore extending through from a lower tube 211 to an upper tube 212. The upper tube 212 is connected to a feeding tube 22 of sanitary plastics reinforced with windings 221 of stainless steel, while the lower tube 211 is connected to a suction pipe 23 of softish sanitary plastics and having a ball weight 231 with hoie at its end remote from the disc 21. Thus the suction pipe 23 is communication with the feeding tube 22. The nipple assembly 3 is mounted on the end of the feeding tube 22 remote from the connector disc and comprises a nipple 4 mounted within a retaining ring 31 to extend through an aperture 311 formed centrally in the retaining ring 31. The ring 31 has an internal screw-thread and is a screw-fit on an external screw-thread 321 of sleeve 332 of valve seat 32 to secure in position a valve disc 34 and a soft packing disc 35. A plug 341 with an axial bore is sealed to valve seat 32 and sleeve 332 and extends beneath the valve disc 34. Many exit bores 342 are formed in the disc, above the bore. A ball 324 in the bore of plug 341 forms a ball valve to control flow in internal tube 323 of the valve seat 32. A removable cover 41 serves to protect the nipple when not in use. To one side the cap 2 has a spindle upstanding from a spindle seat 24. The retaining ring 31 has a spindle sleeve 33 at one side, and the sleeve 33 can be fitted onto the spindle of the cap 2, thereby serving releasablyto harness the nipple assembly 3 to the cap 2 on the bottle 1. In using the present feeding device, the cover 41 is removed from the nipple 4 after the bottle 1 has been filled with a liquid, eg milk. The nipple is then taken in to the mouth of the infant or other human or animal being fed. Because the feeding tube 22 and nipple assembly 3 can be extended away from the bottle 1, the bottle can be left free-standing. During sucking, the ball 324 is lifted within the sleeve 322 and fluid can easily be withdrawn. The stainless steel windings 221 around the feeding tube 22 help maintain the flow, even if the tube 22 is folded. As the level of liquid falls, so the ball weight 231 of the suction tube 23 will remain in the bottom of the bottle to permit continued withdrawal of liquid. Moreover, even when the bottle is slanted, the ball weight 231 will keep the end of the tube 23 below the level of the liquid, down to the last few drops. When the user stops sucking, the ball valve 324 will drop back to close offthetube 323. In addition, when the user has finished sucking but liquid remains in the bottle, it is possible to screw down tightly the retaining ring 31 and constrict the bore linking tube 323 with sleeve 322. In this way the bottle can be sealed against leaks. In summary the feeding device has the advantage that the user can suck liquid from the bottle without the need for the bottle to be held. The use of a weighted suction pipe allows virtually all the fluid to be withdrawn, and yet the valves permit the flow of liquid to be closed off as desired. The present invention is not limited to the embodiment shown. For example, any shape of bottle could be fitted to the device. Moreover, if desired, a hook can be formed in the side of the bottle to allow it to be carried orto be hung in a convenient position. CLAIMS

1. Afeeding device comprising a feed bottle with a connector which connects a suction pipe within the bottle to a flexible feeding tube extending externally of the bottle to a nipple assembly.

2. A feeding device according to claim 1, wherein the connector includes a disc generally transverse of the local common axis of the suction pipe and feeding tube.

3. A feeding device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the suction tube is weighted to assume a perpendicular position.

4. Afeeding device according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the nipple assembly comprises a nipple retained in and extending from a retaining ring, a valve disc with an axially bored plug forming a ball valve between the feeding tube and the nipple to prevent backward flow of liquid and a valve seal to which the retaining ring is secured and with which the valve disc with plug is sealingly secured.

5. A feeding device according to claim 4, wherein the valve disc of the nipple assembly has a plurality of through apertures extending through to the axial bore of the plug.

6. A feeding device according to any preceding claim wherein an upstanding pin is provided on the connector and a cooperating bore is provided on the nipple assembly, whereby the nipple assembly may be releasablyfastened on the connector.

7. Afeeding device according to any preceding claim wherein the feeding tube is of plastics with a reinforcing helical metal winding.