GB2465794A

GB2465794A - Vapour release breathing aid for infants that attaches to a teat

Info

Publication number: GB2465794A
Application number: GB0821837A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Robert Ritchie
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-11-29
Filing date: 2008-11-29
Publication date: 2010-06-02
Anticipated expiration: 2028-11-29
Also published as: GB0821837D0; WO2010061198A1; GB2465794B

Abstract

A device for emitting soothing vapours, for aiding breathing, and intended to be fitted to a teat of an infant's feeding container, comprises an annular member having projections extending inwardly of its inner periphery and arranged for engaging the surface of a teat device and to grip the teat device, so as to serve as the means of retaining said device on the teat device, the device including a container having one or more apertures within the container wall, and containing a substance which emits soothing vapours, so that soothing vapours are emitted close to the infant's nose during feeding.

Description

INFANT BREATHING AID

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an infant breathing aid, and other devices incorporating an infant's teat device.

Background Art

An Infant breathing aid is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,810,003, comprising a ring of medicated material, which is fitted over the neck of a feeding container, and is then held in place by a cap and nipple or teat assembly.

A particular problem with infants is that of feeding an infant having a blocked nose, for example from a cold. The sensation of a blocked nose is new to the infant and causes distress when a function they have naturally performed since birth becomes restricted. In addition there is the uncomfortable suffocating feeling during feeding, resulting in a change in volume of food that can be absorbed. There is a need for a product that eases breathing of a bottle fed infant during feeding times in domestic situations. The breathing aid cited above has disadvantages in that it may only work with one specific type and size of feeding bottle. It would usually be fitted when the bottle is filled, but removal, cleaning and replacement intermediate bottle cleaning and filling operations is somewhat awkward.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention provides an infant's decongestant device, comprising an annular member having a plurality of projections extending inwardly of its inner periphery for gripping a teat device when placed thereon, and the device including container means containing, or being adapted to contain, a nasal decongestant substance, and having one or more apertures within a container wall for permitting decongestant vapour to be emitted.

In accordance with the invention, the teat device may be part of an infant feeding device, or any other device incorporating a teat.

In accordance with the invention, a significant amount of nasal decongestion is available during feeding, very close to the infant's face, sufficient for alleviating the effects of a blocked nose. The device of the invention is adapted to be fitted onto the teat of a baby's bottle, and since baby's teat devices have more or less similar size, the device of the invention will fit on most types of feeding devices.

It can be easily fitted or removed at any time during use of the feeding device and does not require disassembly of the device.

Said inner projections may be of any suitable form, for example teeth, barbs, lugs or pips, tongues, fingers, flaps, knurls, screw threads. It may even be a single continuous item extending around the inner periphery, e.g. a flap of flexible material It may be formed as a disposable item, that is when the nasal decongestant is exhausted, it may be disposed of, and replaced with a new device; this is a preferred arrangement. Alternatively the container means may be designed such that the nasal decongestant substance may be replenished as and when necessary.

The container device may include an absorbent material into which a nasal decongestant in liquid form is impregnated. However other arrangements are possible; for example, the liquid may be held in a closed chamber, or a solid substance may possible be used. The absorbent substance may be impregnated at a manufacturing stage, and the container means subsequently closed, or the container means may include one or more liquid inlets to permit introduction of the liquid at a subsequent time. A wall of the container means includes one or more, preferably an array, of capillary vents to permit vapour given off by the liquid to flow through the container wall to the surrounding ambient. Any of the substances commonly used for nasal decongestion may be employed, for example menthol or eucalyptus oils, rubs or gels.

In a more general form of the invention, the device of the invention may be adapted to fit onto an infant's teat device, but may serve any other purpose in addition to decongestion, for example a musical device, an identifying device, or containing a substance which emits an aroma for some other purpose than decongestion.

In a more general form the invention therefore provides a device for fithng on an infant's teat device, comprising an annular member having a plurality of projections extending inwardly of its inner periphery for gripping the teat device when placed thereon.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is schematic view of the top of an infant's feeding bottle with a teat device extending form the bottle, and nasal decongestant device attached to the teat device, in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is an enlarged detail view of the device of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a plan view of the decongestant device of Figure 1, comprising an annular ring member with inner projections; Figure 4 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the invention, comprising an annular ring member for securing to a teat device and incorporating a nasal decongestant; Figure 5 is a sectional view of the embodiment of Figure 2, showing the interior of the container portion containing nasal decongestant; and Figures 6 is a plan fragmentary view of the ring of Figure 4showing ventilation outlets.

Description of the Preferred Embodiments

The present invention, at least in a preferred embodiment, is a safe, clean vapour emitting device that attaches to a feeding bottle at a safe yet effective distance from the infant, and aids feeding by easing breathing. The soothing vapours which allow the infant to breathe easier are aimed directly at the nose. There is no staining of clothes, no possible contact with skin eyes or mouth, no odour other than at feeding time, no discomfort. The invention can be used out of doors or away from home. It delivers the vapours in the way that the manufacturers of vapour rubs and oils recommend, but crucially at the time and place needed. The invention currently covers pre and un-impregnated designs as we'l as being totally disposable, or reusable housings with disposable inserts. The size, construction and use of the device also is designed to prevent the risk of an infant swallowing the device.

Commonly, an infant's or baby's bottle has a body member for retaining a quantity of liquid or fluid food. The open end of the body has a screw track for receiving an annular retaining ring for a plastic teat device through which the baby can imbibe the food. Referring to Figure 1, the retaining ring of a bottle is shown, through which a plastic teat device extends. A plastic annular ring member is secured on the teat by being placed over the teat. As shown in Figuies I to 3, the ring has projections extending inwardly of its inner periphery, and the ring and projections are dimensioned such that the projections engage and press into the surface of the teat, when the ring is pushed down on top of the bottle, as shown. This forms an effective means of retaining the ring on the teat device and bottle.

A preferred form of the annular ring member is shown in Figures 4, 5 and 6.

The ring has a raised container portion having a chamber which contains a nasal decongestant liquid impregnated into an absorbent pad of for example wool, floss, filamentary or cellular material. The top of the raised portion has an array of vents through which decongestant vapour flows from the absorbent pad. Thus, in use, when the baby imbibes food from the teat, its face and nose will be positioned close to the vents, and will be exposed to a significant amount of decongestant vapour, which may alleviate its blocked nose during feeding.

This may be pre-impregnated, as preferred, with decongestant during manufacture; alternatively apertures may be provided for flowing drops of liquid into the chamber.

A wall of the chamber may be separate'y formed, and is welded, adhered or press-fitted into the ring. The separate wall permits insertion of an absorbent pad at a stage subsequent to manufacture of the ring.

Advantages of the invention are as follows: * Delivers Decongestant vapours to Baby While Feeding * Eases Breathing While Feeding * Safe * Natural * Can Not Be Tasted * Aims Vapours Directly At Nose * Ensures Correct Dosage * Easy to Use * Protects Skin From Oils * No Staining Clothes * No Tainting Hands And Fingers * No Lingering Smell

* Portable

* Can be fitted to most standard feeding bottles.

Claims

CLAIMS.1. An infant's decongestant device, comprising an annular member having a plurality of projections extending inwardly of its inner periphery for gripping a teat device when placed thereon, and the device including container means containing, or being adapted to contain, a nasal decongestant substance, and having one or more apertures within a container wall for permitting decongestant vapour to be emitted.
2. A device according to claim 1, wherein said device includes a chamber holding an absorbent material for impregnation with nasal decongestant liquid.
3. A device according to claim 2, wherein said absorbent material is impregnated with nasal decongestant liquid, and said chamber is closed.
4. A device according to claim 2, including one or more apertures for introducing nasal decongestant liquid into said chamber.
5. A device according to any of claims 2 to 4, including an array of vapour flow apertures formed in a said container wall.
6. A receptacle according to claim 1, wherein said container means is formed as a separable unit within said annular member.
7. Infant decongestant devices substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
8. A device for fitting on an infant's teat device, comprising an annular member having a plurality of projections extending inwardly of its inner periphery for gripping the teat device when placed thereon.Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows.CLAIMS.1. An infant's decongestant device, comprising an annular member having a plurality of projections extending inwardly of its inner periphery and arranged for engaging the surface of a teat device and to grip the teat device when placed thereon, so as to serve as the sole means of retaining said device on the teat device, and the device including container means containing, or being adapted to contain, a nasal decongestant substance, and having one or more apertures within a container wall for permitting soothing vapour to be emitted.2. A device according to claim 1, wherein said device includes a chamber holding an absorbent material for impregnation with nasal decongestant liquid.3. A device according to claim 2, wherein said absorbent material is impregnated with nasal decongestant liquid, and said chamber is closed.4. A device according to claim 2, including one or more apertures for introducing nasal decongestant liquid into said chamber.5. A device according to any of claims 2 to 4, including an array of vapour flow apertures formed in a said container wall.6. A device according to claim 1, wherein said container means is formed as a separable unit within said annular member.7. A device for fitting on an infant's teat device, comprising an annular member having a plurality of projections extending inwardly of its inner periphery and arranged for engaging the surface of a teat device and to grip the teat device when placed thereon, so as to serve as the sole means of retaining said device on the teat deVice, the device including container means having one or more apertures within the container wall for permitting soothing vapour to be emitted.8. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said plurality of projections comprise a series of regularly spaced formations, each having a generally rectangular or part circular shape
9. Infant breathing aid devices substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
1O.An infant feeding device including a teat device, and further including a device according to any of claims 1 to 8, and retained on the teat device by engaging the surface of the teat device to grip the teat device, and serving as the sole means of retaining said device on the feeding device.