US2803251A - Nursing nipple - Google Patents

Description

20, 1 J. c. m 2,803,251

NURSING NIPPLE Filed Dec. 29, 1955 INVENTOR. JAMES .C'. WHITE ATTORNEY This invention relates to a new and improved nursing nipple which is adapted for use on baby bottles of conventional construction used in baby feeding.

Nursing nipples of conventional construction now commercially available require strong sucking by an infant to produce an adequate and even flow of fluid therefrom. However, in order to provide continued even flow, the infant must overcome a vacuum comprising the air space left at the inverted bottom of the bottle during feeding. This is not always possible to overcome and in most cases uneven feeding results when sufficient liquid is removed to form a vacuum opposing the feed flow. Accordingly, it is the primary object of this invention to provide a nursing nipple which is adapted for use on conventional baby feeding bottles, and the like, and which will provide an even flow of the liquid from the bottle, whereby, the infant will not draw air into its mouth along with the liquid thus eliminating the need for burping the infant during and after feeding.

It is another object of this invention to provide a novel nursing nipple constructed so that the infant forces the liquid out of the nipple instead of sucking it out.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a nursing nipple which is provided with means for engagement with a baby feeding bottle; an aperture in said nipple through which liquid will flow from the bottle when it is inverted and into the nipple; an outlet hole in the end of the nipple which is held in the infants mouth; and a movable diaphragm valve which is adapted to be moved into a closing engagement with said aperture when the infant applies pressure to the outer end of the nipple, whereby, the liquid in the nipple will be trapped and will be forced out of said hole into the infants mouth, and, when the infant opens his jaws to again apply pressure, the valve will be moved away from said aperture to permit more liquid to enter the nipple by gravity and be ready for the pressure stroke by the infants jaws.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a combination of a baby feeding bottle and a nursing nipple which is made from a flexible material, such as a suitable rubber or the like, and which is arranged and constructed so as to trap a predetermined amount of liquid in the nipple and force said amount of liquid out of the nipple into the infants mouth when the infant applies pressure to the nipple with his jaws.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a novel nursing nipple of the character herein described which is simple and compact in construction, economical of manufacture, efficient in operation, and easilysterilized, and which provides an even, and air-free, flow of liquid therefrom.

Other objects, features and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following detailed description and appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of thespeci- 2,893,251 Patented Aug. 20, 1957 ice fication wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts of the several views.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of a bottle for baby feeding, and which is provided with a nursing nipple made in accordance with the principles of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a horizontal sectional view of the structure illustrated in Fig. 1, taken along the line 22 thereof;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to that of Fig. 1, and showing the nipple of Fig. 1 in a compressed condition for forcing the liquid therefrom;

Fig. 4 is an elevational sectional view of a second embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 5 is an elevational sectional view of a third embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 6 is an elevational sectional view of a modified part for the embodiment of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is an elevational sectional view of a fourth embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 8 is an elevational sectional view of the fourth embodiment of the invention; but being slightly modified; and,

Fig. 9 is an elevational sectional view of a fifth embodiment of the invention.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, there is shown by way of illustration a baby bottle 10 which is in the inverted position for feeding. The reference numeral 12 represents a fluid, as milk, and the air-space above the milk is numbered 13. The bottle 10 i provided with a narrowed neck portion 14 which is adapted to seat the flange or lip 15 of a nursing nipple 16 made in accordance with the principles of the invention. A usual retaining ring 17 is threadably mounted on the outer surface of the neck portion 14 and is provided with an inwardly extended flange 18 which overlies the lip 15 of the nipple and detachably secures it in place on the top surface of the neck portion 14.

Integral with the lip 15 is a substantially conically shaped month end 19 of the nipple, which is hollow and flexible, and which is enclosed at the lower end thereof with a bottom wall 20 provided with a central aperture 21 communicating with the bottle 10. The bottom wall 20 is provided with a plurality of upwardly extending projections or pivots 22 on which is carried a check valve 23. The check valve 23 is formed from a suitable flexible material, as rubber, and is circular in shape and thinner in the center than near the edges. The check valve 23 is also provided with apertures 24 through the outer edges to permit the flow of liquid therethrough, and with a pair of downwardly extending guide fingers 25 which extend into the aperture 21 in the bottom wall of the nipple. The check valve 23 is further provided with a plurality of integral upwardly extending elongated arms 26 which extend upwardly inside the nipple and which have the upper end thereof abutting the stop members 27 which are integral with the walls of the nipple. The upper bulbous mouth end 23 of the nipple is provided with an opening 29. Air is permitted, shown at 30, to enter the bottle in relatively small amounts as the contents of the bottle is exhausted. As shown in Fig. 1, in a relaxed position, the check valve 23 is disposed away from the aperture 21 so as to permit the liquid 12 to flow around and through the valve in to the nipple.

In use, the bottle 10 would be tipped to the angle shown in Fig. 1, and liquid would be permitted to flow by gravity into the nipple 16. When the infant applies pressure to the bulbous end 23 of the nipple, it will be forced inwardly, as shown at 31 in Fig. 3. The elon- 3 gated flexible arms 26 will be bent inwardly as shown at 32, in Fig. 3, and, the check valves 23 will be bent downwardly and pivoted around the pivots 22. The guide fingers 25 will move into the aperture ;21, and, the bottom of the valve will be'forced againstthe top of the aperture 21 thereby trapping the liquid in 'the nipple. Further pressure on the nipple forces the liquid in the nipple out of the opening 29 and into the mouth of the infant. When the infant releases thepressure on the nipple the valve 23 will spring away from the aperture 21 thus permitting the nipple to be again filled with liquid and the aforegoing is then repeated. In order to clean the nipple, the valve 23 and its arms 26 may be removed through the aperture 21 since all the parts of the nipple are flexible and can be pulled through this aperture, and re-inserted again after cleaning.

A second embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Fig. 4 and is adapted to be used on the bottle 10 and to be secured thereon in the same manner. This embodiment comprises an annular flange or lip 33 which is integral with a substantially conically shaped hollow nipple 34. The nipple 34 is flexible and has a bulbous top 35 with an opening 36. The lower inside surface of the nipple is provided with an annular groove 37 in which is releasably held a disk 38 having a central aperture 39. The disk 38 is provided with integral upwardly extending legs 40 which carry an integrally formed circular check valve 41 which is disposed over the aperture 39 and is normally separated therefrom. The valve 41 is provided with a plurality of elongated arms 43 extending upwardly from the upper side thereof and which abut an annular shoulder 44 formed on the inner surface of the nipple. The entire nipple and valve parts are all flexible.

In use, the nipple of Fig. 4 is mounted on a bottle as like the first embodiment and when the bottle is inverted liquid will flow into the nipple through the aperture 39. When the infant applies pressure on the side of the bulbous portion 35, as indicated at 45, the valve 41 will be forced downwardly into engagement with the upper side of the aperture 39, as shown in Fig. 4. The liquid trapped in the nipple will then be forced out of the opening 36 into the mouth of the infant. When the infant releases the pressure on the nipple, the valves will be flexed upwardly because the pressure will have been released from the arms 43, and the cycle will start over again. The nipple may be thoroughly cleaned by merely removing the disk 38 from the groove 37.

Fig. 6 shows a modified disk and valve structure which may be used in the embodiment of Fig. 5. The reference numeral 46 represents a disk similar to that shown in Fig. 5, and which is provided with an aperture 47 on which is mounted an integrally formed, concavely shaped downwardly check valve 48. The valve 48 is mounted on the disk by means of a plurality of integral arms 49. The convex outer surface of the valve of Fig. 6 will hold its shape and aid in the retraction of the valve when the pressure is released from the nipple.

A third embodiment of the invention is shown in Fig. and is adapted to be used on the bottle and to be secured thereon in the same manner as the embodiment of Fig. 1. This embodiment comprises an annular flange or lip 50 from which extends upwardly an integral annular pyramidal hollow portion 51 which carries an integral cylindrical neck portion 52. The neck portion 52 has the bulbous portion 53 integral with the upper end thereof. An aperture 54 is formed in the bulbous portion 53. An annular groove 55 is formed in the inner surface of the portion 51 and is adapted to releasably retain a disk 56 which has an aperture 57 therethrough. A check valve 58 is disposed over the aperture 57 in a spaced relation thereto and is integrally mounted on the disk 56 by means of the arms 59. integrally formed on the inner surface of the neck- 52'is a plurality of downwardly extending arms 60 which bear on the upper surface of the valve 58. All of the parts of the nipple are made from a flexible material.

In use, when an infant exerts pressure on the bulbous portion 53, the arms 60 will be moved downwardly and will force the valve 58 into a closing engagement with the upper surface of the aperture 57, as shown by the dotted lines 61. When the pressure is released, the valve 58 will be flexed upwardly to the position shown in Fig. 5 and more liquid will then be permitted to flow into the nipple. In order to clean the nipple, the disk 56 is removable from the groove 55.

A fourth embodiment of the invention is shown in Fig. 7, and it is adapted to be used on the bottle 10 and to be secured thereon in the same manner. This embodiment comprises an annular flange or lip 62 from which extends upwardly an inwardly projecting wall portion 63 which carries on its upper end the cylindrical neck portion 64. The nipple is provided with the usual top bulbous portion 65 and an opening 66. Formed integral with the inner surface of the bulbous portion 65 is a plurality of downwardly extending arms 67 which carry on the lower ends thereof an annular disk check valve 68 which is adapted to engage the valve seat 69 on the inner surface of the nipple portion 63.

In use, the nipple of Fig. 7 is mounted on the bottle 10 and when the bottle is inverted liquid will flow into the nipple around the valve 68. When the infant applies pressure to the bulbous portion 65 in the usual manner the arms 67 will be moved to the dotted position indicated by the numeral 70 and the valve 68 will be brought up into a sealing engagement with the valve seat 69 as at 71. Continued pressure forces the liquid trapped in the nipple to be moved out of the nipple and into the infants mouth. When the pressure is released by the infant, the valve 68 will again move down to the position shown in Fig. 7, and the cycle will be repeated.

A variation of the embodiment of Fig. 7 is shown in Fig. 8 and comprises an annular lip 72 which is integral with an upwardly and inwardly extending portion 73 which is integral with a neck portion 74. The usual bulbous portion 75 is formed on the neck portion 74 and has an number of openings 76. A plurality of elongated arms 77 are formed integral with the inner surface of the bulbous portion 75 and carry an annular valve 78 which is adapted to be seated against the valve seat 79. The nipple of Fig. 8 functions the same as the nipple of Fig. 7, but the lower ends of the arms 77 are curved, as at 80 to provide for extra expansion of the arm after the valve is closed and so provide further closing pressure to the valve 78.

A fifth embodiment of the invention is shown in Fig. 9 and is adapted to be used on the bottle 10 and to be secured thereon in the same manner. This embodiment comprises an annular flange or lip 81 which has formed on its upper edge an inwardly extending flat annular portion 82 which carries a neck portion 83 adapted to form a valve seat 84 from the inner surface thereof. The neck portion 83 carries an outwardly extending portion 85 which in turn joins with a second inwardly extending neck portion 850. The usual bulbous portion 86 is formed on the neck portion 85a and has a plurality of openings 87. A downwardly extending arm 88 is formed on the inner surface of the bulbous portion 86 and carries a plurality of bent pressure arms as 89 which are joined at their lower ends and are integral with a check valve 90.

In use, the nipple of Fig. 9 would be mounted on the bottle 10 and when the bottle 10 is inverted the fluid would flow by gravity into the nipple and around the valve 90 which is normally in the position shown in solid in Fig. -9. When the infant applies pressure on the bulbous portion 86 the neck 85a will create an inward pressure on the bent legs 89 and tend to straighten them out, thereby causing the legs 89 to be elongated and to move the valve 90 to the dotted position 91 and into a sealing engagement with the valve seat 84. Continued pressure by the infant on the bulbous portion 86 forces the liquid trapped in the nipple out the openings 87 and into the infants mouth. When the pressure is released, the valve 90 will be moved upwardly and liquid will again enter the nipple through the aperture 84.

It will be understood, that the embodiments illustrated are entirely formed from flexible materials, such as rubber or the like, and which may be sterilized.

While it will be apparent that the preferred embodiments of the invention herein disclosed are well adapted and calculated to fulfill the objects above stated, it will be appreciated that the invention is susceptible to modification, variation and change without departing from the proper scope or fair meaning of the subjoined claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A nursing nipple of the class described, comprising: means for engagement with a baby feeding bottle; an aperture in said nipple through which liquid will flow from the bottle when the bottle is inverted, and into the nipple; an outlet opening in the outer end of the nipple which is held in an infants mouth while nursing; a plurality of flexible arms disposed entirely within said nipple; a movable valve in said nipple responsive to pressure exerted thereon by said arms which are operable by the pressure exerted on the nipple by the mouth of an infant so as to move said valve into a closing engagement with said aperture when the infant applies pressure thereto, whereby, the liquid in the nipple will be trapped and continued pressure by the infant will force the liquid so trapped out of said opening and into the infants mouth; said nipple being provided with a lower wall wherein said aperture is formed; said bottom wall being releasably retained in an annular groove on the lower inner surface of the nipple; and, said valve being integrally formed with said wall, but being normally spaced therefrom.

2. The nursing nipple as defined in claim 1, wherein: said arms are integrally formed on the inner surface of the nipple and operatively engage the valve on the upper side thereof.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,597,483 Head May 20, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS 272,349 Germany Oct. 3, 1913 275,456 Germany June 17, 1914

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