GB2270684A

GB2270684A - Training device for using straws

Info

Publication number: GB2270684A
Application number: GB9218942A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Shen-Kwang Hsu
Original assignee: HSU SHEN KWANG
Current assignee: HSU SHEN KWANG
Priority date: 1992-09-08
Filing date: 1992-09-08
Publication date: 1994-03-23
Also published as: GB9218942D0

Abstract

A training device for using straws includes a suction device (20) which is integrally formed with a teat (22) at the top thereof, an engaging portion (25, 21, 26) at the middle thereof, and a socket portion (24) at the bottom thereof, a cap (10) having a central hole (11) being engaged to the engaging portion (25, 21, 26) of the suction device (20), causing the teat (22) to protrude above the cap (10) and the socket (24) under the cap (10), a straw (35) being inserted into the socket (24), and a bottle (36) being mounted under the cap (10), thus retaining the straw (35) inside the bottle (36). The teat (22) has an inner conical hole (220) tapering upwards and an outer periphery being labeled with the diameters of the hole. The socket (24) also has a conical hole (240) permitting different straw sizes to be received therein. <IMAGE>

Description

TITLE: TRAINING DEVICE FOR USING STRAWS The present invention relates to a training device for using straws, and especially for infants to learn to use straws.

An infant uses a nursing bottle by sucking the head thereof to extract milk or the like from the bottle.

Usually, the nursing bottle is slanted downward to the infant's mouth. However, when an infant can sit, his parents will train him to utilize a straw -to consume his formula. A common straw is neither easy nor safe for an infant to use, thus, a training device for using straws is needed for an infant to practice sucking with a straw. Fig.

4 illustrates a conventional training device for using a straw. The conventional device comprises a bottle 33 to which a cover 30 is mounted. A hole 31 is formed on the cover 30 for-penetrating a straw 32. An infant can practice sucking with a straw by this conventional device. However, the straw might slide out and hurt the throat of the infant. Moreover, the diameter of the straw 32 is constant, which may not be suitable for infants of different ages.

It is the purpose of the present invention, therefore, to mitigate and/or obviate the above-mentioned drawbacks in the manner set forth in the detailed description of the preferred embodiment.

A training device for using straws, according to the present invention, includes a bottle to which a cap having a central hole is mounted, a suction means engaged to the cap in the central hole thereof, and a straw engaged to the suction means and remaining inside the bottle. The suction means includes a first disk portion, above which is a second disk portion, thereby defining an annualar recess therebetween, a teat protruding upwardly from the second disk portion having a first conical hole tapering upwards and ending in a sucking tip thereof, a socket portion protruding downwardly from the first disk portion having a second conical hole tapering upwards for receiving different straw sizes. The periphery ofthe first conical hole has labels illustrating the corresponding diameters of the first conical hole.The first conical hole is in communication with the second conical hole, thus the sucking tip of the teat is also in communication with the straw. A user is permitted to cut at a predetermined label to change/increase the diameter of the sucking tip.

An object of the present invention is to provide a train -ing device for using straws, which is safe and has a variety of straw diameters for a user.

These and additional objects, if not set forth specifically herein, will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the detailed description provided hereunder, with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings: Fig. 1 is an exploded view of a training device for using straws in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 2 is a sectional view of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the present invention; and Fig. 4 is a conventional training device for using straws.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, a training device for using straws comprises a cap means 10, a suction means 20, a straw 35, and a bottle 36. The cap means 10 has a central hole 11 and a top flapping surface 12 formed therearound.

The suction means 20 is integrally formed by a first disk portion 25, a second disk portion 26 thereabove, an annular recess 21 defined therebetween, a teat 22 protruding upward from the second disk portion 26, and a socket 24 protruding downward from the first disk portion 25. The teat 22 has a conical outer periphery tapering upwards and forming a first conical hole 220 therein, and a sucking tip 202 at the top thereof. The first conical hole 220 also tapers upward. Along the longitudinal portion of the outer periphery of the first conical hole 220 are labels 23 illustrating the corresponding diameters therein. A user can change/increase the diameter of the sucking tip 202 by cutting at a predetermined label 23. The socket portion 24 has a second conical hole 240 therein, also tapering upwards for receiving different straw sizes.The second conical hole 240 is in communication with the first conical hole 220.

Referring to Fig. 2, the top flapping surface 12 of the cap 10 is received in the annular recess 21 of the suction means 20, the straw 35 is inserted into the socket 24 of the suction means 20, and the cap means 10 is mounted on the bottle 36 with the straw 35 remaining therein. The suction means 20 is made of a flexible material such as rubber, therefore, the second disk portion 26 can be forced to pass through the top flapping surface 12 of the cap means 10, causing the top flapping surface 12 to be secured in the annular recess 21. The assembly outlook is shown in Fig. 3.

While the present invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that various modifications thereof will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading this specification.

Therefore, it is to be understood that the invention disclosed herein is intended to cover all such modifications as fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A training device for using straws comprising: a bottle (36); a cap means (10) mounted on said bottle (36), a central hole being formed on said cap means (10) thereby forming a top flapping surface (12) therearound; a suction means (20) which comprises a first disk portion (25), a second disk portion (26) above said first disk portion (25), thereby defining an annular recess (21) therebetween, a socket portion (24) protruding downward from said first disk portion (25), and a teat (22) protruding upward from said-second disk portion (26) and being in communication with said socket portion (24); a straw (35) being inserted into said socket portion (24) of said suction means (20) and remaining in said bottle (36); ; whereby said top flapping surface (12) of said cap means (10) is engaged to said annular recess (21) of said suction means (20), thereby securing said suction means (20) on said cap means (10).

2. A training device for using straws as claimed in claim 1, wherein said teat (22) has a conical outer periphery and a first conical hole (220) therein, both tapering upwards, said outer periphery being labeled with different diameters (23) along the longitudinal portion thereof illustrating the corresponding diameters of said first conical hole (220).

3. A training device for using straws as claimed in claim 1, wherein said socket portion (24) has a second conical hole (240) tapering upwards for receiving different straw sizes.

4. A training device for using straws substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.