Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Infant Feeding Device
This invention relates to an infant feeding
device and, in particular, to the kind for use with
liquid feed, a ki.t for feeding an infant and a feed
reservoir for usc: in such a kit.
There arE: several clear stages of feeding an
- infant, each of these stages fundamentally linked to the
1G physical development of the infant. Firstly, there is
breastfeeding whE;re an infant is solely reliant on the
mother, usually followed by bottle feeding.where again an
infant is reliant: upon the mother or carer to elevate and
hold the bottle or cup containing a liquid to enable it
to feed. Finally, it graduates to holding the bottle or
cup independent of its mother or carer and feeds itself.
During the first stages of feeding, whether it is
breast feeding or dependant bottle feeding, infants do
not possess either the dexterity or the strength to hold
2C~ and feed from a bottle or cup. Nevertheless, at this
paint of development, although unable to independently
hold and feed from a bottle or cup, an infant possesses a
strong grip. However, the current infant feeding methods
do not adequately take advantage of the pronounced grip
skills infants are endowed with from birth.
The most common infant feeder zs of the bottle
type for liquid feed where there is generally a reservoir
bottle for containing th,e liquid feed and a mouthpiece
mounted on the opening of the reservoir. The reservoir is
3a usually made of a stiff plastic material and the
mouthpiece is usually made of moulded silicone. The feed
runs under gravity from the reservoir into the teat where
the infant feeds by sucking and stripping the teat with
its tongue. This type of mouthpiece usually has several
small holes or other apertures such as slits in the
moulding to allovu the egress of feed into the infant's
mouth. However, there are a number of disadvantages
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associated with such bottle type feeders.
First, the flowr_ate for this type of feeder is
determined by the apertures in the mouthpiece and cannot
be varied. Thus, several teats with varying flowrates
are required as the infant grows up to keep pace with
their feeding requirements. For instance, a teat with a
smaller flowrate is required for younger intants to
prevent the infant from ingesting too much feed at once
and choking. However, the same teat would not be ideally
suited for older infants. Another factor against the
suitability of these feeders for infants of all ages is
the fact that there is usually no valve mechanism to
prevent the feed from flowing out of the teat when there
is no suction being provided by the infant. Thus, when
baby feeding bottles of this kind are inverted, a steady
amount of fluid will leave the teat. Again, in order to
prevent the younger infant from choking on the feed, it
is usual for a t~sat with a smaller flowrate to be used
initially, and replaced later on with a teat with a
larger flowrate.
Another drawback of these feeders when they axe
used by infants on their own is that, due to their
design, all the weight of the liquid feed is carried by
the infant. A fu:Ll bottle of average size is a
considerable wei<~ht to be held aloft by the infant. Since
these bottles operate by gravity flow, the bottle has to
be inclined far the feed to flow. Whilst in reality the
infant will usua:Lly be i.n a reclining position in order
to reduce the amount of inclination of the bottle
required, it is :still an effort on the part of the infant
to hold the bott:Le up fax the time it takes to teed.
Furthermore, these is usually an amount of feed left in
the bottle at the end of feeding, either as a result of
the infant not being able to raise the :bottle
sufficiently to :Let the remaining feed run down into the
teat, or the infant being too tired to keep the bottle
aloft, or a combination of the two. Also, as a result of
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the need to con~;tantly keep the bottle inclined to
provide feed to the teat, the infant usually ingests an
amount of air from sucking when the feed is not in the
teat due to the bottle :not being inclined sufficiently,
and the teat consequently containing air. This results
in the infant getting ~~wind" and remedial action having
to be taken by the carer.
These feeders are further not ideally suited for
use by infants in that they are generally too big for an
infant to grasp comfortably. Moreover, such feeders are
not designed to take advantage of the considerable
gripping skills inherent in infants nor do they further
develop these skills.
There are similar problems for an adult feeding
an infant with such a battle type feeder in that the
bottle has to be kept a:Loft in a downward pointing
direction and held there for the duration of feeding. The
adult is further inconvenienced by having to use one hand
to hold the bottle and thus only having one hand free to
look after the infant and keep it in tree right position.
It is much less tiring and also much safer for an adult
to be able to support the infant in both arms.
Feeding bottles are also known which have a rigid
spout, usually made from a plastics material, with
apertures in the spout for letting out feed. This type of
feeding device is intended for an older infant with a
view to training the infant to use a cup, which has a
hard rim. Such products effectively comprise a tumbler,
with one or more handles, provided with a lid and a rigid
spout. Many different types are available with different
sized handles, different shaped spouts and different
sized cup bodies to encourage the infant to learn to grip
the cup by the handle and drink from it. These devices
are designed to gibe as leakproof as possible so that, when
the infant drops or knocks the cup over whilst getting
used to gripping handles, very little liquid feed is
spilled. ~ioweve:r, a mayor disadvantage of such devices
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is the fact that the in:Eant has to bear the entire weight
of the cup and the feed. Accordingly, such devices can
only be used once an infant has acquired sufficient
strength to lift and hold such a cup.
Clearly, it is advantageous for an infant to
learn feeding skills as soon as possible. However, due
to their weight and size, known devices are difficult for
an infant to lift and hold. Moreover, such known devices
do not exploit t:he grip skills inherent in all infants.
It is thus an object of the present invention to bridge
the gap from breast or dependent bottle or cup feeding to
the infant holding a bottle or cup by itself. It is a
further object o:~ the invention to develop the grip and
coordination skills required by an infant to eventually
1:5 hold and feed from a cup or bottle with handles.
According to the present invention there is
therefore provided an infant feeding device comprising a
mouthpiece adaptE~d to deliver liquid feed to an infant, a
grip member shapfsd to be easily grasped by an infant and
2U means for connecting the mouthpiece to a feed reservoir.
The term "feed" as used herein includes liquid food,
drinks, paediatric medicines, and mixtures thereof.
It is preferred that the mouthpiece is adapted to
regulate the flow of liquid feed to the infant. This may
25 be achieved in a variety of ways. For instance, the
number and/or si~:e of feeding apertures in the mouthpiece
can be varied. Furthermore, some or all of the apertures
may be constructed so that they only allow fluid flow
through them when the infant provides a force against the
3U mouthpiece, perpendicular to the main axis of the
mouthpiece and concurrent with the forces present when an
infant is stripping or biting the mouthpiece.
Preferably, the mouthpiece is a flexible teat, such as a
silicone teat or a rigid spout, preferably made of a
35 plastics material.. However, other types of mouthpiece
may be readily erwisaged.
The grip member may be of any shape provided it
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can be easily gi°asped by an infant. However, it is
preferred that t:he grip member comprises at least one
generally elongate element preferably having a cross-
section which i~~ sufficiently small for an infant's hand
to be able to grasp it: In one preferred embodiment, the
grip member comprises at least one closed loop of a size
which allows it to be easily grasped by an infant.
Alternatively, t:he grip member could comprise one or more
rods or tapering rods, which are preferably curved to
fit the hand of an infant better. It is envisaged that
such elongate elements could serve a dual purpose by
functioning as a. hanging means to allow the feeding
device to be hung on a suitable part of the surroundings
when not in use in such a way that the feeding device
does not touch a.ny surfaces and therefore remains
unsoiled. Such an arrangement could be useful in a
situation where the infant is in a perambulator, a
walking device or in a child seat in an automobile so
that, when the infant has temporarily stopped feeding,
the feeding device can be temporarily secured to a
suitable support so that it is not dislodged during ',
motion. In another preferred embodiment the grip member ',
comprises one or more wings or tabs of generally planar
construction. These wings or tabs may be moulded to
include grooves corresponding to the shape of an infant's
fingers to facilitate grasping of the wings or tabs.
The infant feeding device of the present
invention may be formed in a single piece, preferably of
a suitable plastics or silicone rubber material.
However, it: is preferred that the individual components
are detachable from one another to facilitate cleaning of
the device and replacement of the mouthpiece by another
mouthpiece havin!3.different characteristics, such as
different flowrate, degree of softness etc..
In one preferred embodiment, the device further
includes a tubul;~r adaptor which is capable of receiving
the mouthpiece. Preferably, the tubular adaptor is also
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capable of engaging the reservoir connection means.
However, as an alternative, the device may be provided
with a tubular connector which is capable of engaging
both the tubular adaptor and the reservoir connection
means.
In one form, the tubular adaptor may comprise a
collar having a flange at one end which is perpendicular
to the axis of the collar and has an aperture in the
flange of a size such that a mouthpiece having a
la corresponding flange may be fitted in a manner so that
the mouthpiece projects through the aperture in the
flange of the collar and the corresponding flange of the
mouthpiece abuts the reverse side of the flange of the
collar thereby holding the mouthpiece in position within
the collar. The collar may also be screwthreaded at the
unflanged end so that it can be secured to the reservoir
connection means by means of a corresponding screw thread
on the reservoir connection means. Alternatively, the
collar may be secured to a tubular connector by means of
2~0 a corresponding ;screw triread and the tubular connector
may be secured t the reservoir connection means, for
instance, by appropriately corresponding screw threads.
The grip member may be attached to any part of
the device. Howcwer, it is preferred that the grip
member is attachcsd to the reservoir connection means, the
mouthpiece, the tubular adaptor or the tubular connector.
The grip member rnay be formed as an integral part of the
reservoir conneci~ion means, the mouthpiece, the tubular
adaptor or the tubular connector. However, it is
3p preferred that the means of attachment is a temporary one
to facilitate cleaning. Alternatively, the grip member I
may be attached t:o an annulus which is adapted to engage
the mouthpiece, reservoir connection means, tubular
adaptor or tubular connector, for instance, by fitting
over a suitable projection. on any of these elements.
Preferab7.y the feeding device contains a liquid
flow control deva_ce to prevent backflow of feed and thus
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prevent the ingress of air into the mouthpiece.
Consequently, the liquid flow control device allows the
infant to ingest: less air when feeding from a feeding
device according to this invention. The liquid flow
control device c:an also serve to regulate the flow of
liquid feed to t:he mouthpiece. Preferably, the liquid
flow control device comprises a valve. In embodiments
where a rigid spout is utilised, a valve can also be
incorporated in the spout itself. Clearly, any. suitable
valve may be utilised in the device of the invention
provided that there is little or no leakage from the
mouthpiece when in an inverted position, that is, with
the tip of the mouthpiece pointing downwards.
In one embodiment, it is preferred that the valve
comprises a mushroom valve. It is further preferred that
the mushroom valve is mounted in an insert which is
adapted for mour.~ting in the feeding device. When
sufficient suction is applied to the mouthpiece and the
pressure drop across the valve in the direction of flow
of the feed reaches a predetermined level, the periphery
of the mushroom valve rises above the surface on which it
rests and creates a Channel through which feed can flow.
When suction is removed and the pressure drop recedes
below a predetermined level, the periphery of the
mushroom valve regains its original position and closes
the channel.
In another embodiment, it is preferred that the
valve comprises a slit valve. Preferably, the slit is in
the form of a cross. It is further preferred that the
slit valve is mounted in an insert which is adapted for
mounting in the feeding device. It is also preferred that
the slit valve is inwardly domed, that is, domed in a
direction against the direction of flow of the feed when
the feeding device is in use. When sufficient suction is
applied to the mouthpiece such that the pressure drop
across the slit valve in the direction of flow of the
feed reaches a predetermined level, the slit opens and
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allows feed to flow. When suction is removed and the
pressure drop recedes below a predetermined level, the
slit closes again preventing further feed from flowing.
Where the valve is mounted in an insert, it is
also envisaged that the reservoir connection means could
be attached to the valve insert. Alternatively, the
mouthpiece may be attached to the valve insert and the
reservoir connection means may also be attached to the
valve insert on the opposite side of the insert to the
to mouthpiece. It is preferable in this embodiment that the
means for attachment on both sides of the insert is the
same. For instance, it is envisaged that the connecting
means may take the form of a screw thread or a push fit
arrangement. With the attachment means being the same on
both sides of the insert, the valve insert could be used
in either orientation, that is, it is effectively
reversible. Preferably, the valve utilised in this
embodiment is integral with the insert.
In a further preferred embodiment, multiple
valves may be employed such that the flowrate and/or the
pressure required to aci~ivate flow through the valves may
be different with one orientation of the valve insert as
compared to the other orientation. The differences may
arise from having more valves operating in one flow
direction than in the oi~her flow direction, or it may
arise from having valves of different activation
pressures and/or flowrai~es. In. this embodiment, the valve
insert may have two modes of use and may allow the
feeding device to be suitable for a growing infant over a
longer period when compared to previous feeders. The
mouthpiece in this embodiment could be attached to the
valve insert by means of a collar. Preferably, the grip
member is integral with or attached to an annulus which
is secured between the valve insert and a threaded
component, om it may be integral with or attached to the
valve insert itself.
Tt is preferred that the device further includes
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means for reducing or preventing air from entering the
mouthpiece to ensure that suction is unimpeded. This may
comprise an insert which serves to compress the ',
mouthpiece against the tubular adaptor. However, this
function may al~~o be performed by a valve insert as
described above.
Preferably, the reservoir connection means
comprises a tubular spigot to which a feed tube may be
connected to provide feed from a feed reservoir. It is
preferred that t:he feed tube fits with the spigot by an
interference fit:, tightly enough to prevent an infant
from disconnecting the tube, but easily enough for an
adult to dissemble the two parts for cleaning. It is
further preferred that the spigot is provided with a
J.5 ridge to assist in securing the tube. It is also
preferred that there is a corresponding groove or ridge
on the surface c>f the feed tube adjacent to the spigot to
temporarily lock: the tube in place. Again, the fit
provided should be strong enough to prevent an infant
~0~ from dislodging the feed tube from the tubular connector,
but should still. allow the tube and spigot to be easily
dissembled by an adult for cleaning purposes.
In a further embodiment, the feeding device may
. be provided with means far attaching a strap of a size
~5 such that it car. be worn comfortably around an infant'.s
neck. This allows the feeding device always to be readily
at hand for the infant to resume feeding after an
interruption or if the feeding device has fallen from the
infant's mouth.
30 According to another aspect of the present
invention there is provided a kit for feeding an infant
which comprises a mouthpiece adapted to deliver liquid
feed to an infant, a feed reservoir, means for connecting
the mouthpiece to the feed reservoir, a tube which
35 communicates with both 'the reservoir connection means and
the feed reservoir and a grip member shaped to be easily
grasped by an infant.
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It is envisaged that the grip member could be
attached to the mouthpiece, the feed reservoir, the
reservoir connection means or the tube or could be formed
as an integral part of any of these elements. If the
grip member is to be attached to the tube, it is
preferred that t:he grip member be attached to a portion
of the tube which is close to or adjacent the mouthpiece
or reservoir connection means. Ideally, the tube or the
portion of the trube to which the grip member is to be
l0 attached is formed from a relatively rigid type of
plastic in such ~~n arrangement. The grip member may be
as previously de;~cribed.
According to a further aspect of the present
invention there :is provided a kit for feeding an infant
which comprises an infant feeding device as described
above, a feed re:~ervoir and a tube which communicates
with both the re:5ervoir connection means and the feed
reservoir.
It is presferred that the reservoir comprises a
receptacle far liquid feed which is provided with a
closure means which includes a port through which liquid
feed may pass.
It is envisaged that the kit may be used in two
main configurations that is, a gravity driven set up
where the reservoir points downwards, and a suction setup
where the infant sucks the feed from the reservoir
through the feed tube. When the reservoir is in a
gravity driven downward pointing orientation, the tube
may be connected to the port in such a way that feed can
flow from the reservoir through the tube to the infant
feeding device.
It is preferred that a first end of the tube is
connected to the reservoir connection means and a second
end of the tube is connected to the port. Preferably,
the means for connecting the port to the tube at the
reservoir end of the tube is a similar spigot to that
described above in relation to the reservoir connection
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means. Preferably, the spigot on the feed reservoir is
formed integrally with a connector insert that is fitted
in the reservoir opening. It is further preferred that
the connector insert is held in the reservoir opening by
means of a collar that secures it in place between the
collar and the reservoir. It is yet further preferred
that the collar is attached to the reservoir opening by
means of a screvu thread.
When used in a gravity driven set up, the length
of feed tube can be shorter than in other uses. This is
to prevent the infant from getting tangled in the tubing
. and potentially being hurt. Also, losses in pressure
caused by narrow tubing mean that, for the gravity fed
application, thE: tubing has to be sufficiently short to
1.5 produce a meaningful flowrate of feed when the pressure
head is not large.
With a auction setup, it is preferable that the
feed tube extends to the base of the reservoir so that
all the feed in the reservoir can be consumed while the
20 reservoir is in an upright position. Alternatively, the
preferred arrangement for a gravity driven set up may be
converted to a suction set up by connecting a second
tube, which extends to the base of the reservoir, to the
port. This may be conveniently achieved by using a
25 connector insert for the reservoir which is provided with
two spigots on opposite sides of the insert which define
the port and fitting the tube to one spigot projecting
away from the reservoir and fitting the second tube to
the second spigot which projects into the reservoir.
30 In order to equalise the pressure in the
reservoir with atmospheric pressure when the infant
feeds, the feed reservoir may be provided with means to
allow air to ent~sr the feed reservoir. Such means may
take the form of grooves at the opening of the reservoir
35 such that when ti:ze reservoir is closed air can still get
into the reservoir but feed cannot get out. Another
option, is to provide a pressure relief valve in the feed
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reservoir. It i:~ preferable to locate the relief valve in
the lid of reservoir as the reservoir will usually be in
an upright position and there is therefore less chance of
fluid surrounding the valve and escaping when the valve
is in operation. Consequently, the valve may be located
in the connector insert, adjacent to the feed tube
spigot. The relief valve may comprise an aperture open to
the external atmosphere and a slit valve beneath the
aperture. It is preferable for the slit valve to be domed
inwardly toward; the interior of the reservoir and
against the flow of fluid. The operation of the relief
valve is similar to that of the valve employed in the
feeding device so that, when~there is a sufficient
pressure difference across the valve in a favourable
direction, the valve will let air into the reservoir to
equalise the pressure drop caused by the removal of feed.
It is also envisaged that the main valve could be
located in the feed reservoir instead of in the feeding
device.
In another embodiment, it is envisaged that the
feeding device and/or the reservoir could be shaped in
such a way that the feeding device could be located on
the reservoir when not in use. It is also envisaged that
means could be provided for attaching the feeding device
to the reservoir in such a way that feed could still flow
from the reservoir to the feeding device. For instance,
the tube could be designed to push into the resevoir and
the screw thread on the reservoir opening could be made
to correspond to that of the tubular adaptor of the
feeding device. '.('hus, the mouthpiece may be directly
attached to the a_eservoir by securing with the tubular
adaptor. Alternatively, if the mouthpiece is provided
with an integral corresponding thread, the mouthpiece may
be attached direcaly to the reservoir. In either
arrangement, the grip member may be formed as part of a
ring which fits around the thread of the reservoir
opening and be held in place by either the mouthpiece or
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tubular adaptor when fitted on the reservoir opening. In
a further alternative, the resei-~roir or its lid could be
provided with a flange on which the feeding device may be
located. These embodiments provide the option of making
a training cup directly from the parts provided.
It is further preferred that a hook or some form
of attachment strap, preferably made of velcro, be
provided on the feed tube so that, when longer lengths of
tubing are used, the weight of the tube is partially
supported by securing the hook or strap to another
fixture.
In a further possible embodiment the reservoir
may be formed with one or more tunnels in the body of the
reservoir, preferably aligned in a direction generally
perpendicular to the major axis of the reservoir so that
the parts of the. reservoir that form the surround of the
tunnel can be utilised as handles. The tunnels may be
offset to one side of the centreline and the handles
formed may be of a size such that they can be gripped by
an infant. The parts of the reservoir that form the
handle may be ho:Llow and joined to the central portion,
hollow and empty and separated from the central portion
or hollow and sel?orated from the central portion and
filled with a decorative filling such as pieces of
2!~ glitter suspended in a coloured solution. Alternatively,
they may be solid. Where the reservoir is used with hot
or cold fluids, t:he handles which are separated from the
central portion provide an insulated holding means.
Providing handless larger than the grip member of the
feeding device for infants to grip the reservoir can be
used as a furthez- step in the training of an infant to
use a normal cup.
Preferab7.y, the kit further includes means for
mounting the feed reservoir on a suitable support. For
3~ instance, a strap or harness may be provided which is
adapted to secure: the reservoir to the body of an adult,
thereby releasing both hands of the adult to look after
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the infant while the infant feeds. Another preferred
feature is to provide a band that can be removably ',
attached to the reservoir, preferably by passing the band
through one or more turAnels in the reservoir as described
above, there being a hook attached to the band to allow
the reservoir to be hung from a suitable support. It is
further preferred that the hook be rotatably attached to
the band so than the bottle can be secured in any desired
orientation. It is even more preferable that the rotation
means is biased to allow the hook to maintain an
orientation that. allows the reservoir to be held in a
vertically dawn attitude or a vertically upright
attitude.
In a further embodiment, the feed reservoir may
~.5 be provided with a plurality of feeding devices so that
more than one infant may feed at the same time from a
single reservoir. It is envisaged that this could be
particularly usE:ful in the case of multiple births where
a parent has to feed more than one infant or in the
maternity ward of a hospital.
The invention also provides a feed reservoir as
defined above fc~r use in a kit according to the present
invention as described above.
Specific embodiments of the invention will now be
described by way of example and with reference to the
accompanying drawings in which:-
Figure 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of an
infant feeding device according to the present invention;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of
an infant feeding device according to the present
invention;
Figure 3 is an e:Kploded view of the components of a third
embodiment of an infant feeding device according to the
present invention;
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Figure 4 is a sectional view of the embodiment of Figure
3 in assembled i=orm;
Figure 5 is an Enlarged view of part of Figure 4 showing
the valve in a closed position;
Figure 6 is a view of the valve of Figure 5 in an open
position;
Figure 7 is an exploded view of a kit for feeding an
infant accordincf to the present invention;
Figure 8 is a sectional view of the top of one embodiment
of a feed reservoir according to the present invention;
Figure 9 is a perspective view of another embodiment of
a feed reservoir according to the present invention;
Figure 10 is an exploded view.of a further embodiment of
an infant feeder according to the present invention;
Figure 11 is a plan view of one side of the intermediate
valve layer of Figure 10;
Figure 12 is a plan view of the opposite side of the
intermediate valve layer of Figure 10;
Figure 13 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the
infant feeder ac~~ording to the present invention when it
is converted into a conventional trainer cup; and
Figure 14 is a sectional view of the top of another
embodiment of a :Feed reservoir according to the present
invention.
Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of an infant
feeding device 1 according to the present invention which
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comprises a tubular adaptor in the form of a screw cap 2
with an aperture (not shown) through which is inserted a
mouthpiece in the form of a teat or soft spout 3. The
Screw cap 2 has internal threads which screw onto an
externally threaded portion of reservoir connection means
4 thereby securing and sealing the teat or soft spout 3
in position. Reservoir connection means 4 comprises
aperture 5, a centrally located spigot 6 with a ridge 8
and two grip members 7 in the form of closed loop
to elements which a.re individually positioned co-planarly on
opposite sides of tube ~. Ridge 8 serves to secure a
feed tube (not shown) which leads to a teed reservoir
(not shown) to spigot 6. Components 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 are
formed integrally with one another. Grip members 7 are
proportional to an infant's hand and fingers and are
integral with and positioned on the base of the screw
threaded portion of reservoir connection means 4. All
components of the feeding device 1 are made from
materials which are commonly utilised in infant feeding
products, such as suitable plastics materials or, in the
case of the mouthpiece, silicone rubber. In use, liquid
feed passes through tube 6 and aperture 5 into mouthpiece
3 and then into the mouth of the infant.
Figure 2 shows a second embodiment of an infant
feeding device 1:1 according to the present invention
which comprises a tubular adaptor in the form of an
internally threaded screw cap 12 with an aperture (not
shown) through which is inserted a mouthpiece in the form
of a teat or sofi~ spout 13. Two grip members 17 in the
3l7 form of curved rods of generally half-elliptical shape
extend downwards from screw cap 12 and are either moulded
integrally with ;screw cap 12 or attached to screw cap 12
by a push fit arrangement. The internal screw thread of
screw cap 12 screws onto an externally threaded portion
of connector cap 15 of reservoir connection means 14
thereby sealing and securing the teat or soft spout 13 in I
position. Reservoir connection means 14 comprises a
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17
conduit 16 having a ridge 18, which serves as a means for
securing a feed hose (not shown) to spigot 16, attached
to an externally screw threaded connector cap as
described above.
Figure :3 shows the component parts of a third
embodiment of an infant feeding device according to the
invention. A tubular adaptor in the form of a collar 19
is provided with an internal screw thread 20 which
corresponds to the external screw thread provided on
reservoir connection means 23 and a flange 29. A
mouthpiece in the form of a teat 21. is provided with a
flange 22 around its circumferential edge. Teat 21 is
made of silicone rubber. Insert 25 contains a valve 24 in
the form of a mushroom valve which is made of a suitably
flexible material such as silicone rubber. Reservoir
connection means> 23 is provided with two grip members in
the form of curved rods 26 and a spigot 27 having an
aperture 28. To assemble the feeding device, teat 21 is
inserted in collar 29 so that flange 22 of the teat 21
abuts flange 29 of collar 19. Valve insert 25 is also
inserted in collar 19 behind teat 21. The externally
threaded portion. of reservoir connection means 23 is then
screwed into the internally threaded portion 20 of collar
19 thereby securing team 21 and valve insert 25 in
position. In use, an infant sucking on teat 21 would
cause the valve 24 to partially lift from insert 25 and
allow feed to flow through the channel created by the
lifting portion of valve 24. When the suction is removed
the lifting portion of valve 24 falls again to seal the
channel and stop the flow.
The arrangement of the valve 24 is shown in more
detail in Figure 4. Valve 24 is held in place in the
centre of the aperture 28 of reservoir connection means
23 by a post 30 which is part of valve insert 25. The
bottom surface o:E valve 24 is in contact with a
protruding ridge 31 formed on the surface of insert 25,
which forms a seal with valve 24 through which no feed
CA 02337531 2001-O1-11
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18
can flow. The operation of the valve 24 is shown in more
detail in Figure>.s 5 and 6. Figure 5 shows the valve 24
in a closed position whereas Figure 6 shows the valve in
an open positiorc during operation of the feeding device.
When the pressure difference across valve 24 is
sufficient as a result of an infant sucking on the
mouthpiece 21, valve 24 is deformed upwards slightly and
forms a channel 32 through which feed can flow as shown
in Figure 6. When the pressure differential is removed,
that is, when th.e infant stops sucking on the mouthpiece
21, valve 24 returns to the position shown in Figure 5
and prevents further feed from passing.
Figure 7 shows the component parts of a kit for
feeding an infant according to the present invention. A
tubular adaptor in the form of collar 33 is provided with
an internal screw thread which. corresponds to the
external screw thread provided on reservoir connection
means 34, and a flange 35. A mouthpiece in the form of
teat 36 is provided with a flange 37 around its
circumferential edge. Reservoir connections means 34 is
provided with two grip members in the form of wings or
tabs 38 and a spigot 39 having an aperture 40. Feed tube
41 links the feeding device to a feed reservoir in the
form of a bottle 42. Tube 41 is of a sufficient internal
diameter so that friction losses do not prevent the
delivery of feed from the reservoir 42 to the feeding
device, and possesses sufficient stiffness to prevent the
tube 41 from forming a tight loop around an infant's neck
whilst being fle:Kible enough for easy manoeuvring. Feed
3n tube 41 is connected to reservoir 42 by a spigot 43
similar to spigoi~ 39, mounted on a connector insert 44.
Connector insert 44 is attached to reservoir 42 by a
collar 45. Collar 45 is provided with an internal screw
thread which corresponds to the external screw thread 46
around the opening of reservoir 42 thereby enabling
collar 45 to be ;crewed onto reservoir 42.
Figure 8 shows a sectional view of the top of one
CA 02337531 2001-O1-11
WO 00/03675 19 PCT/GB99/02297
embodiment of a feed reservoir for use with a feeding
device according to the present invention which
demonstrates how the feed tube may effectively be
lengthened to reach the base of reservoir 46 to allow
feeding without the aid of gravity, that is, by suction.
Insert 47 has two spigots 48, 49, one on each side of
insert 47, which together define a tube 50 through insert
47. Spigots 48, 49 are provided with ridges 51, 52 which
act as means for securing feed tubes to the spigots so
30 that the force required to remove the tubes is sufficient
to prevent the tubes from being accidentally removed by
an infant when in use but will allow the tubes to be
easily detached by an adult for cleaning purposes. Other
methods suitab:Le for connecting a tube to a spigot can
also be used, such as, a groove formed around the spigot
securing a ridge on the inside surface of the tube etc.
In use, feed tube extension 53 is connected to spigot 49
and is held in place by an internally screw threaded
collar which screws onto an externally screw threaded
portion 55 of t:he reservoir body 46. The feed tube
extension 53 should be of a length such that it extends
to the base of reservoir 46. Feed tube 57 which is
connected to the feeding device, fits onto spigot 48 as
described above. A groove 56 is left in the interior
surface of insert 57 which matches a similar groove at
the opening of reservoir 47 so that air can enter the
reservoir when the feed is being removed and equalise any
pressure difference.
Figure 9 shows one embodiment of a feed reservoir
58 in which areas 59 are formed by creating tunnels 60 in
the reservoir 58 in a direction perpendicular to the
major axis of the reservoir. Areas 59 can act as grip
members or can be utilised as a means of securing a
support strap to reservoir 58.
Figure 10 shows the components of another
embodiment of a feeding device according to the invention
which includes a tubular connector 61 containing a
CA 02337531 2001-O1-11
WO 00!03675 2 ~ PCT/GB99/02297
reversible valve insert and a separate grip member
assembly 62. A tubular adaptor in the form of a collar
63 is provided with an internal screw thread which
corresponds to the external screw thread provided on one
end of tubular connector 61 and has a flange 64. A
mouthpiece in the form of teat 65 is provided with a
flange 66 around its circumferential edge. Tubular
connector 61 i:~ provided with a valve insert 67 in which
valves 68, 69, 70 are located and has identical
externally scrE~w threaded portions 71, 72 at each end so
connector 61 i;~ effectively reversible. Valves 68, 69
operate in one direction of flow and valve 70 operates in
the reverse direction of flow. Grip members 73 are
attached to a ring 74 which fits onto screw threaded
portion 71 or '.I2. Reservoir connection means in the form
of collar 85 i:~ provided with spigot 84 to which a feed
tube may be attached. Alternatively, the reversible valve
insert could bE: formed as part of a disc that could be
inserted within the feeding device. In this embodiment,
the tubular corxnector 61 could have a tubular spigot on
the base obviating the need for threads 72 and collar 85.
Figure 11 shows one face of the reversible valve
insert 67. Va3.ves 68, 69 only allow fluid to pass in a
direction out of the page and valve 70 only allows fluid
to pass in the opposite direction. These valves are shown
here to be of a similar size, although they may differ in
volume flowrate: and activation pressure.
Figure 12 shows the other opposite face of the
reversible valve insert 67 shown in Figure 11. When
fitted into thE: feeding device in this orientation, the
maximum flowrat.e of fluid into the mouthpiece is reduced
when compared to the orientation shown in Figure 11. The
use of such a valve insert containing multiple valves
makes a feeding' device according to this embodiment
suitable for a growing infant for a longer period than a
feeding device with a single valve.
Figure 13 shows an embodiment of the invention in
CA 02337531 2001-O1-11
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21 '
which a kit comprising a feeding device, connecting irube
and reservoir is converted into a conventional training
cup. Grip members 77 are attached to an annulus which
can fit around an externally screw threaded portion of
the opening of reservoir 78. A tubular adaptor in the
form of internally screw threaded collar 75 which
contains mouth.,piece 76 is screwed onto the externally
threaded portion of reservoir 78 to form a trainer cup
and the connecting tube is made to slide into the body of
the reservoir '78. A valve insert (not shown) is also
included in th~~ feeding device. A trainer cup could also
be formed from the elements of Figure l0 in conjunction
with a suitably=_ reservoir, It is envisaged that this
would be the penultimate stage in the training of an
infant to adapts to the use of a normal cup. The final
stage would be the removal of the valve insert. '
Figure 14 shows another embodiment of a teed
reservoir 79 which is provided with an alternative method
of equalising t:he pressure inside the reservoir with
atmospheric pressure when feed is being taken. In this
embodiment insert 80 is held in place at the top of the
reservoir 79 by col-lar 8l. An aperture 82 is formed in
insert 80 and a slit valve 83 is provided underneath the
aperture 82. ~~he slit valve shown in this embodiment is
domed inwardly, that is, convex in the direction of the
interior for maximum prevention of leakage. A flat slit
valve could be used when leakage from the slit valve is
of less importance. The slit valve is made of a similar
material to the' mushroom valve and can be glued onto the
underneath surface of insert 80 by a suitable non-toxic
adhesive or heat welded to the insert 80. When the
atmospheric pressure is above the interior pressure by a
predetermined amount, the slit valve opens to equalise
the pressure difference. The fluid inside is prevented
from escaping through the valve by the domed shape which
forces the material to first compress, and thus offer
more reluctance: to opening, before opening to the
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22
atmosphere.
It should be rooted that the materials chosen in
making all parts and embodiments of this invention need
to be resilient to autoclaving and chemical attack by
disinfectants used in repeated sterilisation procedures.
Furthermore, they need to be non-toxic and capable of use
delivering paediatric medicines that can be mixed with
infant feed or soft drinks. Suitable materials typically
include plastics materials and silicone rubber.
The invention has been described in detail herein
by way of example only, and many variations are possible
without departing from the spirit of the invention.
Particularly, it should be appreciated that features
described with reference to one embodiment may be used in
1~ others.
