EP0682933A2 - Feeding bottle and pacifier for enhancing sense of touch - Google Patents

Abstract

The bottle holder is in the form of a container which is detachable from the bottle and made in the form of two supple and elastic bags (1, 2) set one inside the other, the inner one shaped to receive the bottle and the outer one reproducing the feel of a breast. The container can be equipped with a heater for the bottle and it has a transparent window (5) in one side, one centimetre wide, to give a view of part of the bottle inside. In addition, the outer surface of the container can have one or more handles (6) for gripping. In a variant of the design, the container can be made to hold a single feed of milk or other liquid, supplied with a teat and disposable after use. <IMAGE>

Description

The present invention relates to a childcare device of the kind for bottles or lollipops.

The general object of the invention is to give the softness and elastic consistency of the maternal breast to the two objects to suckle for babies: the bottle, and the pacifier used to make them wait between feedings, in order to stimulate the sense of to touch .

grip development takes place during the first year in stages: "palm -4 fingers" at three months, "thumb-4 fingers at five months, then" thumb-index "at seven and a half months, and l The baby's favorite occupation remains the palpation of any object within reach for a long time, before bringing it to the mouth.

We know that the signals coming from the sense organs play a preponderant role in the construction of the cerebral structure, or the current bottles, hard and rigid, neglect the sense of touch, as well as the pacifier which does not allow palpation , while the breast is palpated and caressed under natural conditions.

According to Margaret MEAD, a famous ethnologist, the children of the Oceanian societies she studied, who always have a breast to feel, even that of a grandmother, do not suck their thumbs.

Without daring to assert that this invention will prevent children from sucking their thumb, its suction time could be reduced and the stimulation of a sense that develops and gradually improves will be beneficial for all, and in particular for those entrusted to a nursery. or hospitalized, who for lack of staff, are left long hours to themselves.

In addition, one of the variants of the bottle according to the invention, the "ready to suck" ration allows a great saving of time for the mother and facilitates travel with a baby, while putting in her hands a real breast substitute. maternal.

the object of the invention is achieved by the use of flexible and elastic materials, associated or not, as the case may be, with a liquid or a gas, for a bottle cover, a fully flexible bottle or a ball for the pacifier, and according to the same principle of two parts or bags fitted into each other, the internal (1) receiving the bottle, milk or lollipop, the external (2) reproducing the consistency of the breast according to Figure 1.

Thus a childcare device according to the invention is generally characterized in that the lollipop extends a flexible and elastic body of rounded shape with a flat bottom, this flexible body being either a cover for a rigid bottle, or the bottle itself, or a ball (which does not contain nutritive liquid, and in this case the assembly is simply a lollipop).

• La fig. 1 est une coupe schématique de l'appareil, qu'il soit une housse pour biberon rigide, le biberon lui même, ou balle souple surmontée d'une sucette .
• La fig. 1 bis est une vue de face de la housse pour biberon rigide .
• La fig. 2 représente le biberon souple .
• La fig.3 est une vue de la tétine faisant corps au biberon souple dans la version ; ration " prête à téter", et vue de face.
• La fig. 3 bis représente la même tétine vue de profil .
• La fig. 4 illustre l'appareil relevant de l'invention, la balle souple surmontée d'une sucette .
• La fig. 4 bis est un détail du mode de fixation de la balle à la sucette de l'appareil précédent, selon AA.

The appended drawings will allow a better understanding of the description of the particular embodiments:

• Fig. 1 is a schematic section of the device, whether it is a rigid bottle cover, the bottle itself, or a flexible ball topped with a lollipop.
• Fig. 1 bis is a front view of the rigid bottle cover.
• Fig. 2 shows the flexible bottle.
• Fig.3 is a view of the teat forming part of the flexible bottle in the version; "ready to suck" ration, and front view.
• Fig. 3 bis represents the same nipple seen in profile.
• Fig. 4 illustrates the apparatus of the invention, the flexible ball topped with a lollipop.
• Fig. 4 bis is a detail of the method of fixing the ball to the pacifier of the preceding apparatus, according to AA.

• 1-Housse amovible pour biberon existant
• 2-Biberon en matériau souple
• 3-Biberon ration " prête à téter" en matériau souple..

In fig. 1 to 3, we notice that for the bottle there are three possibilities:

• 1-Removable cover for existing baby bottle
• 2-Baby bottle made of flexible material
• 3-Feeding bottle "ready to suck" in flexible material.

1- Removable cover for existing baby bottle:

The current bottle is rigid, its cover gives it elasticity to the touch and retains heat during the feeding of small babies who doze off easily.

• à l'opposé de la fente d'élargissement une "fenêtre" transparente(5) d'un cm de large environ et s'étendant de dessous le goulot sur la moitié supérieure au maximum de la hauteur du biberon, permet de contrôler la tétée. Le fond de la housse est aplati pour la stabilité avec le biberon pour le cas où la tétée doit être interrompue.
• Deux languettes de préhension (6) à bords arrondis sont fixées sur le sac externe, l'une au bas de la fenêtre pour support et inclination(tétée au berceau: crèches, hôpitaux.....) l'autre côté opposé pour y passer 2 ou 3 doigts et avoir la fenêtre sous les yeux(tétées dans les bras).

Referring to Figures 1 and 1a, the cover is formed by two nested bags (1) and (2), joined to the neck which has a widening and tightening system for easy penetration of the bottle which cannot slide during palpation of the baby.
This system can be a slot (3), tightened by a gripping braid or a clamp (4), in encrusted or welded plastic; closed by a cleat, it is retained at the opening by the element in which the collar slides.

• opposite the widening slot, a transparent "window" (5), about 1 cm wide and extending from below the neck on the upper half at the maximum of the height of the bottle, makes it possible to control feeding. . The bottom of the cover is flattened for stability with the bottle in case the feeding has to be interrupted.
• Two gripping tabs (6) with rounded edges are fixed on the external bag, one at the bottom of the window for support and inclination (feeding in the cradle: nurseries, hospitals .....) the other opposite side for y pass 2 or 3 fingers and have the window under the eyes (suckled in the arms).

1-1 :

en tissu, le sac externe garni de fibres synthétiques rapidement sec après lavage ; la fenêtre transparente en plastique est incrustée au tissu .

1-2:

identique à la précédente mais comportant un système de chauffage électrique avec thermostat, analogue aux couvertures chauffantes,un clapet recouvre la prise à la tétée

1-3:

en plastique souple, silicone ou élastomètre, les deux sacs sont moulés séparément par injection-soufflage: l'externe est garni de moussse avant soudure au niveau du goulot et de la fenêtre; l'air emprisonné dans la mousse, en augmentant de volume au contact du biberon de lait chaud, donne une consistance plus ferme au début de la tétée .

Methods of making the removable cover:

1-1:

in fabric, the outer bag lined with synthetic fibers quickly dry after washing; the transparent plastic window is embedded in the fabric.

1-2:

identical to the previous one but with an electric heating system with thermostat, similar to electric blankets, a valve covers the socket at the feed

1-3:

in flexible plastic, silicone or elastometer, the two bags are molded separately by injection-blowing: the external is lined with foam before welding at the level of the neck and the window; the air trapped in the foam, increasing in volume in contact with the bottle of hot milk, gives a firmer consistency at the start of feeding.

2- Baby bottle made of flexible material:

Without precise graduation, this bottle is intended for babies from 5 months who consume 250 cc of milk at the feed.

Its flexibility allows manual mixing which facilitates the mixing of water and milk powder and also cleaning.

On the principle of the cover 1-3 above, two compartments or bags are fitted: the internal reserved for milk and nutritious liquids, the external ensures volume and elasticity until the end of feeding. Joined and welded to the neck, a light frame can be incorporated to ensure its rigidity avoiding leakage of liquid during the palpation of the baby, a screw thread allows the use of a classic nipple cap.

2-1 :

L'élasticité est obtenue par de la mousse introduite avant soudure des 2 sacs .La fenêtre transparente est réduite en hauteur et contrôle la fin de la tétée. Identiques à celles de la housse,deux languettes de préhension permettent de le soutenir La stérilisation s'effectue par remplissage de liquide antiseptique .

2-2:

L'élasticité est obtenue par de l'eau chaude qui permet le réchauffage de lait préparé à l'avance; le matériau utilisé, silicone, élastomètre ou autres, supporte 120° C de température pour la stérilisation, et est entièrement transparent ou translucide; la fenêtre est donc inutile et une seule languette de préhension suffisante .
   -L'eau chaude est introduite dans le sac externe par un bouchon de sûreté(7) selon la figure 2, près du fond,(le biberon étant maintenu par sa languette (6) ; fermé par un clapet ce bouchon est étanche et ne présente pas de saillie, sous le clapet des orifices de chasse d'air, autour de l'orifice principal de remplissage permettent d'éviter les reflux et l'arrivée d'air dans le sac facilite la vidange ; ce bouchon peut être moulé avec le sac externe ou séparément puis soudé à la chaleur.

2-3:

Identique au précédent 2-2 mais le sac interne(1) présente un fond en forme de cul de bouteille visible sur la figure 2, ce qui accélère le réchauffage du lait par l'eau chaude.

Special methods of making the flexible bottle:

2-1:

The elasticity is obtained by foam introduced before welding of the 2 bags. The transparent window is reduced in height and controls the end of the feeding. Identical to those of the cover, two gripping tabs make it possible to support it. Sterilization is carried out by filling with antiseptic liquid.

2-2:

The elasticity is obtained by hot water which allows the heating of milk prepared in advance; the material used, silicone, elastometer or other, withstands 120 ° C of temperature for sterilization, and is completely transparent or translucent; the window is therefore useless and a single gripping tab sufficient.
-Hot water is introduced into the outer bag by a safety cap (7) according to Figure 2, near the bottom, (the bottle being held by its tongue (6); closed by a valve this cap is waterproof and does not has no projection, under the flap of the air flushing orifices, around the main filling orifice make it possible to avoid backflow and the arrival of air in the bag facilitates emptying; this plug can be molded with the outer bag or separately and then heat sealed.

2-3:

Identical to the previous 2-2 but the internal bag (1) has a bottom in the form of a bottle bottom visible in FIG. 2, which accelerates the heating of the milk with hot water.

3-Feeding bottle "ready to suck" in flexible material:

• * Le biberon, emballage jetable pour une tétée-ration
• * La tétine qui fait corps avec le biberon
• * Le capuchon protecteur de la tétine , détaché au moment de la tétée, il entraîne l'ouverture de la tétine .
  • * Le biberon (1) emballage jetable pour tétée-ration : destiné au lait, celui-ci est adapté aux besoins nutritionnels des bébés de 5-6 mois et stérélisé par la méthode UHT comme celui des briques cartonnées ; en plastique souple comme les sacs de sérum artificiel , le biberon sera soudé après remplissage , par le fond.
  • * La tétine (8) jetable avec le biberon emballage :
    ne supportant qu'une seule tétée, elle peut être en plastique élastique comme les tubulures de perfusion de sérum, elle est soudée au biberon par une base plus épaisse et plus rigide équivalente du bouchon de biberon, sa rigidité relative permet une bonne prise pour l'ouverture des orifices, un repère sur cette base signale l'orifice d'aération(9) situé à 3mm env. sur l'amorce de la courbure: sur les tétines actuelles cet orifice est plus ou moins comprimé par le serrage du bouchon, ce qui ralentit ou accélère l'arrivée d'air dans le biberon, ici, se trouvant à la limite des lèvres pendant la tétée, cet orifice est dégagé périodiquement par leurs mouvements ; bien visible grâce au repère, la mère le place vers le haut, et en modifiant la position du biberon , elle peut le libérer ou non et ainsi régler l'arrivée d'air et l'absorption du lait .
  • * Le capuchon protecteur (10) de la tétine :
    Il est fixé par une languette d'ouverture (11) sur l'épaisseur de la base de la tétine afin que les restes éventuels ne puissent pas blesser les lèvres du bébé, ce capuchon est très souple excepté sur une seule face, de la base au sommet d'une bande épaissie(12) plus résistante de 4mm de large environ, cette bande épaissie porte 2 petites protubérances qui pénétrent la tétine et obturent l'orifice de succion au sommet et celui d'aération .
  • * L'ouverture de la tétine :
    Comme pour les bouteilles d'eau minérale, on tire sur la languette d'ouverture placée autour de la base de la tétine, on libère ainsi le capuchon protecteur sur toute sa circonférence, mais la languette d'ouverture reste fixée à la bande épaissie du capuchon, qui dans ce but est élargie de quelques mm à cet endroit .

It includes several elements illustrated in Figure 3 and 3a:

• * Baby bottle, disposable packaging for feeding.
• * The nipple that forms part of the bottle
• * The protective cap of the teat, detached at the time of feeding, it causes the opening of the teat.
  • * The bottle (1) disposable packaging for suckling-ration: intended for milk, it is adapted to the nutritional needs of babies aged 5-6 months and sterilized by the UHT method like that of cardboard bricks; made of flexible plastic like artificial serum bags, the bottle will be welded after filling, from the bottom.
  • * The disposable teat (8) with the packaging bottle:
    supporting only one feed, it can be made of elastic plastic like the serum infusion sets, it is welded to the bottle by a thicker and more rigid base equivalent to the bottle cap, its relative rigidity allows a good grip for the opening of the openings, a mark on this base indicates the ventilation opening (9) located approx. 3mm. on the beginning of the curvature: on current teats this orifice is more or less compressed by the tightening of the stopper, which slows or accelerates the arrival of air in the bottle, here, being at the limit of the lips during feeding, this orifice is released periodically by their movements; clearly visible thanks to the mark, the mother places it upwards, and by modifying the position of the bottle, she can release it or not and thus regulate the air intake and the absorption of milk.
  • * The protective cap (10) of the teat:
    It is fixed by an opening tab (11) on the thickness of the base of the teat so that any remains cannot injure the baby's lips, this cap is very flexible except on one side, from the base at the top of a thickened strip (12), more resistant, about 4mm wide, this thickened strip carries 2 small protrusions which penetrate the nipple and close the suction orifice at the top and that of ventilation.
  • * Opening the teat:
    As for the bottles of mineral water, one pulls on the opening tab placed around the base of the teat, one thus releases the protective cap on all its circumference, but the opening tab remains fixed to the thickened strip of the cap, which for this purpose is widened by a few mm at this point.

3-1:

Le biberon est formé du seul compartiment ou sac réservé au lait (1) . Avec la housse décrite page-3-, le bébé garde un substitut de sein dans les mains jusqu'à la fin de la tétée . A titre indicatif non limitatif, le réchauffage du lait peut être obtenu avec une housse chauffante, un chauffe-biberon actuel, en été quelques minutes d'exposition au soleil ....

3-2:

Le biberon est formé de deux sacs comme le biberon décrit en page 4 de réalisation 2-2 ;outre une languette de préhension, le sac externe(2) présente un bouchon de sûreté permettant de le remplir d'eau chaude .

3-3:

Jus de fruit prêt à téter :
Comme le précédent 3-2 , il comprend 2 sacs mais sans bouchon le réchauffage étant inutile ; une certaine quantité de gaz neutre ou d'air injectée dans le sac externe au moment du remplissage procure la consistance du sein; la languette de préhension est facultative : la capacité plus faible qu'une ration de lait permet de le tenir facilement en main et la tétée dure moins longtemps .

Tous ces emballages de rations prêtes à téter, souples et de volume réduit , seront faciles à récupérer .
Pour compléter l'effet du biberon selon l'invention, il faut fournir au bébé une sucette permettant la palpation :At this moment, 2 fingers of one hand enclosing the base of the teat, we continue to pull the tab but upwards: we thus first release the ventilation opening; the cap which is flexible follows the movement, and then completely inverted, it is grasped between 2 fingers, and pulled upwards, the suction opening is released, without having been touched and soiled, the teat is open, the ration ready to suck.
Particular methods of producing the bottle-feeding packaging element for feeding:

3-1:

The bottle consists of the only compartment or bag reserved for milk (1). With the cover described on page-3-, the baby keeps a breast substitute in the hands until the end of the feeding. As a non-limiting indication, the heating of milk can be obtained with a heating cover, a current bottle warmer, in summer a few minutes of exposure to the sun ...

3-2:

The bottle is formed by two bags like the bottle described on page 4 of embodiment 2-2; in addition to a gripping tab, the external bag (2) has a safety cap allowing it to be filled with hot water.

3-3:

Fruit juice ready to suck:
Like the previous 3-2, it includes 2 bags but without a cap, heating is unnecessary; a certain amount of neutral gas or air injected into the outer bag at the time of filling provides the consistency of the breast; the grip tab is optional: the lower capacity than a ration of milk allows it to be easily held in the hand and the feeding lasts less time.

All of these ready-to-feed, flexible, reduced-volume ration packages will be easy to retrieve.
To complete the effect of the bottle according to the invention, it is necessary to provide the baby with a pacifier allowing palpation:

The pacifier illustrated in Figure 4 includes:

• * The pacifier, non-perforated teat mounted on a washer which has a small gripping projection (13) on the opposite face.
• * A stopper (14) similar to a bottle stopper
• * A sort of very light elastic ball surmounted by a rigid ring (15) uniting two nested parts: the internal (1) where the lollipop seized by its washer can be stored and sterilized when an antiseptic liquid is poured into it; the external (2) of volume allowing the baby to palpate it with both hands and with a flattened bottom for stability during sterilization.
  The ball and the stopper which holds the lollipop become integral when, by a quarter turn, two notches are located, on the one hand on the ring of the ball, and on the other hand inside the stopper as illustrated in Figure 4a, so the ball is available to the baby, the pacifier ready to suck or in the protective position and a simple gesture can extract it from the inside if he wants to suck.
  • Two ventilation holes (16) on the washer and the plug coincide in the position to suck, the washer moved 90 ° C in the protective position, its holes are closed by the plug.
  • A gripping tab (6) for support keeps the ball within reach of the baby and prevents the pacifier from falling and soiling.

S-1

:En textiles comme la housse 1-1 page-3- : l'anneau et la partie interne en plastique ,moulés en une seule opération sont ensuite incrustés au tissu .

S-2

En plastique souple, silicone ou élastomètre; pour obtenir la consistance du sein une certaine quantité de gaz est injectée à la soudure de l'anneau ou ultérieurement . La balle peut aussi être garnie de mousse, avant cette soudure .

S-3

:En matériau souple comme la précédente S-2 mais la partie externe présente un bouchon de sûreté identique à celui du biberon 2-2 page -5- qui permet de la remplir d'eau chaude, et pendant les promenades d'hiver, la balle soutenue par sa languette à un support, le bébé peut téter et palper en se réchauffant les doigts .

Special methods of making the lollipop ball:

S-1

: In textiles such as the cover 1-1 page-3-: the ring and the internal plastic part, molded in a single operation, are then embedded in the fabric.

S-2

In flexible plastic, silicone or elastometer; to obtain the consistency of the breast a certain amount of gas is injected at the weld of the ring or later. The bale can also be filled with foam, before this welding.

S-3

: In flexible material like the previous S-2 but the external part has a safety cap identical to that of the bottle 2-2 page -5- which allows to fill it with hot water, and during winter walks, the ball supported by its tongue to a support, the baby can suckle and palpate by warming his fingers.

Claims (11)

1.- Childcare device of the kind for bottles or lollipops, characterized in that the lollipop extends a flexible and elastic body of rounded shape with a flat bottom, the said flexible body possibly being either a cover for a rigid bottle introduced by the top of the cover, either the bottle itself, or a ball. 2. A childcare device according to claim 1 characterized in that the cover intended to contain the bottle is removable and is produced by the use of flexible and elastic materials and formed by two bags nested one inside the other, l intern receiving the bottle. the external reproducing the consistency of the breast, the two being joined to the neck which has a clamping and widening system so as to allow easy introduction of the bottle. 3. A childcare device according to claim 2 characterized in that the cover comprises an electric heating system with thermostat. 4. A childcare device according to claim 1 characterized in that the bottle is formed of two compartments or bags fitted into one another made of flexible and elastic materials, the internal (1) reserved for nutritive liquids, l 'external (2) ensuring the consistency of the breast by plastic foam or introduction of liquid. 5. Childcare appliance according to the preceding claims, characterized in that the cover and the bottle have a transparent window (5) made of plastic, about one centimeter wide and extending below the neck over the upper half of the height. bottle. 6. A childcare device according to claim 4 characterized in that the internal bag (1) of the bottle reserved for milk has a bottom in the form of a bottle bottom. (fig. 2) 7. A childcare appliance according to claim 1, characterized by a teat forming part of the bottle and a welded bottom after filling with a ration of nutritive liquid so as to form a disposable packaging for a ration ready to suckle,
the nipple (8) having a ventilation opening (9) on the initiation of its curvature about three millimeters from its base, facing a signal mark, the nipple being covered with a flexible protective cap (10) except on a single face, from the base to the top, a thickened strip (12) a few millimeters wide and which carries two small protrusions closing the suction and ventilation openings,
the cap being fixed on the thickness of the base of the teat by an opening tab (11) so that at the end of opening this tab remains fixed to the thickened strip of the cap and that pulled upwards it causes releasing and opening the teat orifices (fig 3-3. bis) 8. A childcare device according to claim 1, characterized in that it consists of a lollipop mounted on a washer comprising a gripping projection (13) of the washer and a stopper (14) similar to a bottle stopper of so as to make it integral with a ball, constituting said flexible and elastic body, said ball being surmounted by a rigid ring (15) joining two nested parts, the internal (1) being able to receive the pacifier, the external (2) with a flat, flexible and elastic bottom, two ventilation holes (16) on the washer and the plug coinciding only in the position to suck (fig. 4, 4a) 9. A childcare device according to claims 4, 6, 7 and 8 characterized in that a certain amount of liquid or gas introduced into the bag or the external part reproduces the elasticity of the breast. 10.- Childcare appliance according to claims 4,6,7, and 9 characterized by a safety plug (7) (fig.2) having, under the closing valve, air-blowing orifices around the orifice main bag filling or external part ensuring the consistency of the breast. 11. A childcare device according to any one of the preceding claims with the exception of claim 7, characterized by one or two gripping tabs (6) fixed on the bag or external part ensuring the elasticity of the breast.

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