WO1992001435A1

WO1992001435A1 - Device of the feeding-bottle type

Info

Publication number: WO1992001435A1
Application number: PCT/FR1991/000598
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jean-Louis Raymond; Jean-Luc Nierga; Pedro Planas
Original assignee: Raymond Jean Louis; Nierga Jean Luc; Pedro Planas
Priority date: 1990-07-20
Filing date: 1991-07-19
Publication date: 1992-02-06
Also published as: FR2664812A1; AU8282291A; FR2664812B1; ES2065048T3; DE69104487D1; ATE112481T1; EP0540618B1; DE69104487T2; EP0540618A1

Abstract

Device of the feeding-bottle type comprising: an external tubular body (1) having an open extremity (1b); a flexible capsule or container (3) housed or capable of being housed within said tubular body and presenting also an extremity (C) which is open or arranged to be opened; means (2, 42) allowing to communicate with environmental air, the space (D) existing between said flexible capsule (3) and the body (1); a specific teat (12) mounted or conformed to be mounted ahead of the openings (A, C) of said body (1) and said capsule (3); and an intermediary non-return valve (5) arranged between the open extremity (C) of said capsule (3) and the base of said teat (12) and delimiting with the latter a dispensing chamber (F); characterized in that a second valve (19, 20) is provided in the nipple piece (15) of the teat (12), between the dispensing chamber (F) and the outlet perforations (18) of said teat, said second valve (19-20) allowing the passage of nutrient liquid towards said outlet perforations (18) and opposing the entry of air into said dispensing chamber (F).

Description

Device of the bottle type, for the L imentat i on.

The present invention relates to a device of the bottle type, for feeding.

According to an example of a particularly advantageous application, although not limiting, the device according to the invention is intended to constitute a physiological bottle making it possible to feed an infant, in a manner reproducing the physical and mechanical processes of natural breastfeeding, requiring the baby efforts of suction and / or pressure with beneficial physiological effects and suppressing any ingestion of unwanted air.

Indeed, feeding with a conventional bottle requires little or no effort to the fed sound since milk flows easily and almost naturally when said bottle is spilled, while a volume of air enters the teat and is mix with the nutritive liquid, each time the baby has to relax his suction, so that he swallows a certain amount of air during each feeding, which causes him digestive troubles. In addition, the usual bottles have an annoying tendency to initiate the baby in the oral breathing since this one must interrupt its feeding, to let enter the air in the teat.

Various devices of the bottle type have been proposed to facilitate or regulate the flow of the nutritive liquid (US-A-1. 41.623, US-A-3.946.888), or to suppress the ingestion of air (US-A- 4,339,046),

US-A-2,907,485), or aimed at obtaining these two results (US-A-4,339,046). There are thus known baby bottles comprising a specific teat associated with a non-return valve and with a flexible capsule intended to contain the nutritive liquid and housed in the body of the bottle which also comprises an air inlet intended to put in communication with ambient air, the space existing between said flexible capsule and said body (US-A-4,339,046). These bottles designed to reduce the ingestion of air by the baby during feeding, do not allow to reproduce feeding conditions comparable to those of breastfeeding. breast, so that they have the aforementioned drawbacks of conventional bottles. ^~

Document US-A-3,936,888 describes a device intended to reproduce the conditions of natural breastfeeding, this device comprising a teat of variable thickness associated with a one-way valve arranged between the bottle and the teat. However, it is obvious that such a device does not achieve this objective, because, on the one hand, it works by simple compression and release of the pacifier, while, on the other hand, each time that the baby releases the nipple, a quantity of air and a quantity of liquid both enter said nipple where they mix, so that when the baby compresses the latter again, it ingests a certain quantity of air with the Nutrient liquid contained in The bottle.

Another drawback of conventional baby bottles and of the devices proposed to overcome the shortcomings and drawbacks of the latter, lies in the fact that they must always be inclined in inverted positions between the horizontal and the vertical, in order to be operated Is.

The invention particularly aims to remedy the aforementioned mperfections of known bottles. According to the invention, this objective is achieved by means of a bottle of the kind comprising an external body or tubular and deformable envelope comprising an open end, a flexible capsule or pocket housed or capable of being housed in this body and also comprising an open end or arranged to be easily opened, a means enabling communication with ambient air, the space existing between this flexible capsule and this body, a specific teat mounted or shaped to be mounted in front of the openings of said body and said capsule , and an intermediate non-return valve disposed between the open end of said capsule and the base of said teat, and delimiting, with the latter, a dispensing chamber, this bottle being remarkable for the fact that a second valve is arranged in the end of the nipple, between this dispensing chamber and the perforations ^~ exit from the nipple, this second valve allowing the passage of the nutrient liquid towards said exit perforations and opposing the entry of air in the direction of said distributing chamber.

Advantageously, the end of the teat is shaped internally so as to constitute the seat of an axially movable valve which is integral with an elastic means allowing its axial movements and tending to apply it on its seat.

According to another characteristic arrangement of the invention, the valve consists of a circular bead which is provided with the upper part of a core of approximately conical shape housed in a deformable outer casing constituting the teat proper, the base of this core having a pleated, flexible and elastic skirt constituting the means allowing the axial movements of said valve and tending to apply the latter on its seat.

The physiological bottle according to the invention makes it possible to feed an infant by making him carry out a feeding effort similar to that exerted for the feeding of the maternal breast. In particular, this physiological bottle allows the stimulation, by the pressure and propulsion effort, of the articulations that are porous-mandibular which partially condition the growth of the maxillae and, more particularly, the catching-up of mandibular retrognathia. of the newborn. More generally, thanks to the constitution of the muscular potential necessary for bone growth, in the three senses of space, it contributes to good maxi L lo-faciaL development, thus preventing the appearance of dysmorphoses and, later, some maLocc dental lusions. On the other hand, during feeding, the compensating air does not enter the nipple and does not mix with the liquid; therefore, the infant is not obliged to relax his suction and cannot ingest air. Another advantage of the device according to the invention lies in the fact that it can operate in all positions, including in the vertical position not overturned, that is to say teat upwards. Therefore, other applications of the invention can be envisaged.

For example, by means of a simple adaptation of the shape and dimensions of the device, it is possible to envisage using it for feeding adults, in a specific medium (weightless or aqueous) in which said device will behave normally, or when The hands and / or attention are occupied continuously, or that one cannot drink or eat conventionally (motorsport, scuba diving, sailing or air sports, etc.).

Another advantage of this device is that it does not flow, even in the inverted position.

The above aims, characteristics and advantages, and others still, will emerge more clearly from the following description and the attached drawings in which:

Figure 1 is an exploded view in axial section of a physiological bottle executed according to the invention.

Figure 2 is an axial sectional view of this bottle.

Figures 3 and 4 are views in axial section illustrating the operation of the bottle.

FIGS. 5 and 6 are partial views, on a larger scale, corresponding, respectively to FIGS. 3 and 4.

Figure 7 is an axial sectional view of a flexible capsule intended for single use and containing a dehydrated nutritious preparation.

Figure 8 is an axial sectional view of a ready-to-use capsule.

Figure 9 is an exploded view in axial section of the intermediate valve.

Figure 10 is an exploded view, in axial section and on a larger scale, of the teat. FIG. 11 is a view in axial section along line 11-11 of FIG. 12.

FIG. 12 is a front view and in half-section along line 12-12 of FIG. 11. FIG. 13 is a view in transverse section along line 13-13 of FIG. 11.

Reference is made to the drawings to describe an interesting, although in no way limiting, embodiment of the device of the bottle type following the invention, which, according to this example, consists of a physiological bottle for feeding a infant.

This bottle comprises a tubular body 1, substantially cylindrical and comprising a closed end 1a and an open end 1b delimiting a large opening A, and provided with an external thread 28.

This body is preferably executed in a semi-rigid material endowed with an elastic deformation capacity, under the pressure of an adult hand. It can be made of any unbreakable synthetic material having the required rigidity and flexibility characteristics and its dimensions can be identical or close to those of a traditional baby bottle.

The body 1 has, laterally, an opening B in which is installed a valve 2 described in the following of this presentation. Opposite the opening B and close to its bottom 1a, the body 1 may have a concavity 1c reproducing the shape between the thumb and the index finger, this ergonomic conformation allowing the bottle to be naturally placed in the correct position. desirable. In the body 1 is housed or intended to be housed a capsule or flexible tubular bag 3 containing or intended to contain the nutritive liquid.

This capsule has a generally cylindrical shape and has a closed end and an end provided with a large opening C and a fixing flange 3a allowing its positioning and ensuring sealing. Its volume can be provided to substantially fill the body 1, a reduced space D being preferably formed between the capsule and said body.

In order to be able to use the entire contents of The capsule ^" and to avoid deformation thereof which may cause the creation of retaining pockets, an axial rib (extra thickness) is provided.

This capsule 3 can be:

- reusable;

- for single use, that is to say disposable after use; "ready to use.

It can be made of any elastomer having the required qualities of tightness and flexibility allowing it to be crushed without effort, this elastomer being advantageously translucent. When the flexible capsule 3 is intended to be reusable, its constituent material must be sufficiently solid and resistant to withstand the successive washings and sterilizations to which said capsule is intended to be subjected. In addition, such a reusable capsule may include, laterally, a scale allowing the dosage of the nutritive liquid.

When using such flexible, reusable and translucent capsules, the preparation of the nutritive liquid (milk or other preparation) is carried out in the traditional manner.

When the capsule 3 ′ is intended for a single use, it may contain a dehydrated and predosed nutritive preparation P, enclosed under vacuum in said capsule which is in a flattened form and its opening C is closed by a detachable cover 4, fixed on its collar 3a, as shown in FIG. 7.

When the cover is removed, the capsule relaxes under the air suction effect, and makes it possible to add the water necessary for the luidication of the preparation. This type of flexible 3 'capsule can be offered with different capacities and with different dehydrated or lyophilized nutritive preparations.

This solution brings an improvement of hygiene preparations, great ease of use and allows storage of preparations in a minimum of space.

When the 3 "capsule is ready for use, it contains a certain quantity of nutritive liquid L for which it has been sized and its upper opening C is also closed by a detachable cover 4 (FIG. 8), the preparation nutritive being ready to be ingested by the fed son In front of the opening C of the capsule 3, is arranged a check valve or intermediate valve 5 consisting of two circular membranes 6, 7 applied one against the other.

The lower membrane 6 placed in front of the opening C of the capsule 3, is made of a non-deformable rigid material (for example rigid plastic) and it comprises, in its center, a circular hole 8 with a spherical generator. It is provided, on its upper face, with a peripheral shoulder 9 allowing the centering and embedding of the upper membrane 7 in the housing delimited by said shoulder.

The upper membrane 7 is made of flexible rubber or other flexible and elastic synthetic elastomer, easily deformable. It comprises, in its center, a boss 10 with spherical generators oriented in the direction of the hole 8 of the lower membrane 6, and holes 11 arranged at a distance from its central part occupied by said boss.

The nipple 12 is composed of a hollow outer casing 13 constituting the nipple proper, and an inner core 14, housed therein.

The outer casing 13 affects the shape of a traditional teat, that is to say that it has a tip 15 provided with perforations 18 and a body 16 in the shape of a bulb, the open base of which is provided with a collar. 17 for connection and sealing. It is made of a flexible material but having sufficient elasticity and rigidity to resume its normal shape when the effort of crushing to which it is subjected, disappears. It is emphasized that the power of return to the initial shape of the outer envelope is studied to cause a force suction effect capable of taking off The upper membrane 7 from The lower membrane 6.

The end 15 of the nipple is shaped, internally, so as to constitute a valve seat, this valve seat being constituted by an internal annular constriction or rib 19 that the casing 13 presents, at the level of the attachment of the end 15 to the body 16.

The constriction 19 serves as a seat for a valve 20, which is axially movable, this valve advantageously being constituted by a circular bead which has the end portion of the core 14 oriented in the direction of the end 15 of the teat. This valve preferably has a toroidal shape and its seat has a concave profile with spherical generator.

Naturally, the bead 20 constituting the sou¬ pope has a diameter greater than the diameter of the passage E defined by the throttle 19 serving as a seat for said valve; however, the diametral difference is relatively small, so as to allow both good sealing at the entry of air into the teat and easy separation of the casing 13 and the core 14 for cleaning.

The core 14 has a substantially conical shape, with a slightly concave lateral surface. It has a full portion going from its top to near its base which has two recesses 21 each communicating with a hole 22. The recesses 21 allow, on the one hand, the passage of the nutritive liquid and, on the other apart, to easily grasp the core 14 to extract it from the envelope 13, for example to facilitate cleaning of the latter. The base of the core 14 comprises a flexible and pleated skirt 23, provided with an elastic deformation capacity and attached to a flange 24 for connection and sealing; this flexible and pleated skirt 23 allowing movement axial of the core 14 and, consequently, of the valve 20. On the other hand, the elasticity of this skirt 23 makes it possible to obtain a residual closing force, tending to apply the valve 20 on its seat 19. It is underlined , that at rest, the distance "a" between the base of the valve 20 and the inner face of the flange 24 of the core 14, is less than the distance "b" between the seat surface of the seat 19 and The underside of the flange 17 of the casing 13 (FIG. 10), which makes it possible to obtain a preload of said valve.

The base thus arranged of the core 14, ensures the axial guidance of the valve, while in addition to the fact that they allow the passage of the nutritive liquid, the holes 22 ensure the balance of the pressures in the teat.

The lateral surface of the core 14 is provided with longitudinal grooves 26 allowing the passage of milk or other nutritive liquid, in the event of the envelope 13 being crushed. When the various constituent elements of the bottle are assembled. The valve 19-20, the intermediate valve 5 and the casing 13, delimit a distributor chamber F inside which is housed the core 14 with an aptitude for Longitudinal movement of reduced amplitude. On the other hand, at rest, a small space is provided between the base of the core 14 of the teat and the flexible membrane 7 of the intermediate valve (FIG. 5), in order to allow the latter to be raised when the chamber F is in depression (Figure 6). The tight assembly of the various constituent elements described above of the bottle is obtained by means of a clamping ring 27 of generally conventional design which is fixed by screwing, on the open end of the body 1 provided with a complementary external thread 28 , preferably by means of a "quarter-turn" system allowing easy and rapid closure of said bottle, while avoiding excessive tightening which, by its distribution could deteriorate the sealing elements. This ring of. tightening also ensures the rotational positioning of the nipple 12 relative to the body 1 of the bottle.

For this purpose, the side wall of the ring 27 includes, for example, internally, a longitudinal groove 27a, in which a stop 29 can be engaged, which is provided, on its periphery, the flange 17 of the envelope 13.

Figures 11 to 13 illustrate the valve 2 installed in the body and ensuring the entry of compensation air between said body and the deformable capsule 3 housed therein.

This valve 2 comprises a casing 32 fixedly installed in the opening B of the body 1, near the open end provided with the thread 28, of the latter. This casing has, internally, a constriction 33 shaped to serve as a seat for a shutter 34 axially movable, and subjected to the thrust of a spring 35 tending to apply it against its seat 33, this spring being wedged, on the one hand against said shutter and, on the other hand, against the bottom of the casing 32.

The valve 2 is adjustable so as to be able to act on the general flow rate of the bottle and on the vacuum necessary for the flow of the liquid. In addition, a calibration of the valves makes it possible to maintain a vacuum inside the bottle. The valve 2 adjustment device comprises a spring 36 wedged, via one of its ends, against the shutter 34 and exerting, on the latter, an action antagonistic to that of the spring 35. The springs 35 and 36 are preferably of the helical type acting in compression and they are placed in alignment, the stiffness of the adjustment spring 36 being less than that of the return spring 35 of the shutter.

An adjustment button 37 mounted with a longitudinal displacement ability in a slide 38 formed in the external face of the casing 32, makes it possible to adjust the setting of the spring 36 and, consequently, of the valve 2. This adjustment button comprises, one hand, a finger 39 taking support against the upper end of the spring 36 and, on the other hand, a notched rod 40 cooperating with a rack 41 which has, at the front, the casing 32, and making it possible to immobilize the said adjustment knob in the desired position .

It will be understood that the more the adjustment spring 36 is compressed, the more its pressure increases and compensates for the pressure of the return spring 35 on the shutter 34. As a result, the threshold for opening the valve is lowered. It is emphasized that the characteristics of the adjustment spring 36 must be such that when this spring is put into maximum compression, the shutter 34 must still be subjected to a slight pressure of the return spring 35 so that said shutter can fulfill its function of check valve. return.

For ease of execution, the casing 32 of the valve 2 can be executed in two parts and be installed in the opening B of the body 1 after assembly of the various constituent members and assembly of said parts. Advantageously, the adjustable valve 2 is disposed at the entrance to a conduit opening near the bottom 1a of the body 1.

According to the illustrated embodiment, the chamber G delimited by the shutter 34, inside the casing 32, communicates with a dip tube 42 extending downwards, near the bottom 1a of the body 1. This tube allows the entry of compensating air into the bottom of the body 1 of the bottle.

It also provides safety and hygiene functions in the event of capsule 3 breaking.

In fact, in the position of use, the level of the liquid accidentally spilled in the body 1 is located below the outlet of the dip tube 42 and, therefore, cannot penetrate into said tube and into the valve. On the other hand, in the transport position, the Liqi'ide cannot go back up through the dip tube.

This arrangement is interesting because, if nutrient liquid gets into the valve, it would be damaged by dried deposits which would affect hygiene and the proper functioning of the assembly.

In addition, it prevents the capsule 3 from interfering with the entry of compensating air into space D, the exit from the dip tube 42 opening below the said capsule (FIG. 2).

The dip tube is preferably positioned in a longitudinal groove 43 formed in the body 1 and corresponding to an external rib of the latter, so as not to project into the interior space delimited by said body.

Various phases of operation of the bottle according to the invention are described below.

1. Purge: Before breastfeeding. The components of the bottle being assembled, manual crushing of the body 1 has the effect of compressing the air in the space D, between the capsule 3 containing the nutritive liquid and said body; the non-return valve 2 being closed, the capsule 3 is crushed and the air which it contains escapes via the nipple through the valves 5 and 19-20 and, more exactly, by the passage 8-11- 21-22-FE-18. When the body 1 is released, the pressures are reversed, the valves 19-20 and 5 close, the valve 2 opens and the air enters between said body 1 and the capsule 3.

Several successive pressures on the body 1 thus make it possible to expel the air which may be contained in the capsule 3 and in the nipple 12.

2. Temperature test: The bottle being purged, an additional pressure spurts out the liquid and makes it possible to control the temperature.

3. Suction:

In the case of nutrition by suction, the depression exerted by the child opens the valve 19-20, then the valve 6-7 and the liquid can flow through the passage 8-11-21-22-FE- 18, causing the progressive crushing of the capsule 3 and the entry of the compensating air into space D, by the valve 2 and the plunger tube 42.

4. Pressi on

The crushing of the envelope 13 of the teat 12 by the jaws of the newborn, causes an overpressure inside the latter, that is to say in the chamber F, this overpressure having the effect, on the one hand, to maintain the valve 6-7 in the closed position and, on the other hand, to ensure the opening of the valve 19-20 and the flow of the liquid contained in the teat, by the perforations 18 ( Figures 3 and 5).

When the jaws are released, the interior (chamber F) of the nipple is in depression, the valve 19-20 closes so that air cannot enter chamber F, the valve 6-7 opens , the milk is sucked into the nipple and fills the said chamber; the compensating air enters the space D, through the valve 2 and the length-p-tube 42 (Figures 4 and 6).

Claims

1. - Device of the bottle type, for Food, comprising:

- a tubular outer body (1) having an open end (1b); - a flexible capsule or pocket (3) housed or capable of being housed in this body and also comprising an open end (C) or arranged to be open;

- A means (2, 42) allowing to put in communication with the ambient air, the space (D) existing between this flexible capsule (3) and the body (1);

- A specific teat (12) mounted or shaped to be mounted in front of the openings (A, C) of said body (1) and said capsule (3);

- And an intermediate non-return valve (5) disposed between the open end (C) of said capsule (3) and the base of said teat (2), and delimiting, with the latter, a stopper chamber (F) ; characterized in that a second valve (19, 20) is arranged in the end (15) of the nipple (12), between the dispensing chamber (F) and the outlet perforations (18) of said nipple, this second valve (19-20) allowing the passage of the nutritive liquid towards the said outlet perforations (18) and opposing the entry of air into the said distributing chamber (F).

2. - Bottle-type device according to claim 1, characterized in that the end (15) of the teat (12) has, internally, a constriction (19) constituting the seat of a valve (20) axially movable and secured to an elastic means (23) allowing its axial movements and tending to apply it to its seat (19).

3. - device of the bottle type, according to claim 2, characterized in that the valve (20) consists of a circular bead which is provided with the upper part of a core (14) of approximately shape conical housed in a deformable outer casing (13) constituting the actual teat, the base of this core having a pleated, flexible and elastic skirt (23) constituting the means allowing the axial movements of said valve and tending to apply the latter on its seat .

4. - Device of the bottle type, according to claim 3 characterized in that the lateral surface of the core (14) is provided with longitudinal grooves (26).

5. - Device of the bottle type, according to claim 3 characterized in that the core (14) has at least one hole (22) in the vicinity of its base.

6. - Device of the bottle type, according to claim 3, characterized in that the base of the elastic skirt (23) is attached to a fixing and sealing collar (24).

7. - Device of the bottle type, according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the intermediate valve (5 ⁾ consists of two membranes (6, 7) applied one against the other, the one (6) of these membranes disposed in front of the opening of the flexible capsule (3) being rigid and _^ provided, in its center, with a circular hole (8) with spherical generator, while the second membrane (7) is deformable and executed in a flexible and elastic material, comprises, in its center, a boss (10) with spherical generators oriented in the direction of the hole (8) of the rigid membrane, and one or more bores (11) arranged at a distance from its central part.

8. - Device of the bottle type, according to claim 1, characterized in that the means allowing to put e., Communication, with ambient air, the space (D) existing between the flexible capsule (3) and the body (1), includes a valve (2) installed in a lateral opening (B) dud t body and arranged at the entrance to a conduit (42) opening near the bottom (1a) of the latter.

9. - A bottle-type device according to claim 8, characterized in that the valve (2) allowing the entry of compensating air is adjustable, this valve comprising, for example, a valve (34) axially movable and subject the action of a return spring (35) tending to apply it against its seat (33), said valve comprising a second spring (36) exerting, on the valve, an action antagonistic to that of the return spring (35 ), a movable adjustment button (37) making it possible to compress said second spring more or less, and means (40, 41) making it possible to immobilize said adjustment button (37) in the desired position.

10. - Device of the bottle type, according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the body (1) is executed in a sufficiently flexible and elastic material to undergo a slight manual crushing and then resume its initial shape.

11. - Device of the bottle type, according to claim 1, characterized in that the flexible capsuLe (3 ¹ , 3 ") usable, contains the nutritive preparation ready for use or in a dehydrated or lyophilized form, and is closed tightly by means of a detachable cover (4).