阅读说明：本技术 用于喂食瓶装置的分隔部件 (Separating element for feeding bottle device ) 是由 P·C·杜伊尼维尔德 于 2019-03-04 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明涉及用于喂食瓶装置(1)的分隔部件(10)和相应的喂食瓶装置(1)。分隔部件(10)在奶瓶装置(1)的容器空间(2)和用于向婴儿提供液体的喂食空间(3)之间提供分隔,分隔部件(10)包括围绕穿过分隔部件(10)的孔(32)的孔壁部分(30),以允许流体从容器空间(2)通过该孔通到喂食空间(3),其中孔壁部分(30)被形成为使得：当喂食空间(3)侧的压力低于容器空间(2)侧的压力时,孔(32)的最小横截面面积随着喂食空间(3)和容器空间(2)之间的压力差增加而减小。这实现了过量喂食婴儿的减小的风险。(The invention relates to a separating element (10) for a feeding bottle device (1) and to a corresponding feeding bottle device (1). The partition member (10) provides a partition between a container space (2) of the baby bottle device (1) and a feeding space (3) for providing liquid to a baby, the partition member (10) comprising a bore wall portion (30) surrounding a bore (32) through the partition member (10) to allow passage of fluid from the container space (2) to the feeding space (3) through the bore, wherein the bore wall portion (30) is formed such that: when the pressure on the feeding space (3) side is lower than the pressure on the receptacle space (2) side, the minimum cross-sectional area of the aperture (32) decreases as the pressure difference between the feeding space (3) and the receptacle space (2) increases. This achieves a reduced risk of overfeeding the infant.)

1. A partition member for a feeding bottle device (1), said partition member (10) providing a partition between a container space (2) of said feeding bottle device (1) and a feeding space (3) for providing liquid to an infant, said partition member (10) comprising a bore wall portion (30) surrounding a bore (32) through said partition member (10) to allow passage of fluid from said container space (2) to said feeding space (3) through said bore (32), wherein said bore wall portion (30) is formed such that: when the pressure on the feeding space (3) side is lower than the pressure on the container space (2) side, the minimum cross-sectional area of the aperture (32) decreases with increasing pressure difference between the feeding space (3) and the container space (2), wherein the aperture (32) has a first dimension and a second dimension perpendicular to the first dimension, the first dimension being at most twice the second dimension.

2. Partition element (10) according to claim 1, wherein the aperture wall portion (30) is inclined with respect to a surrounding portion of the partition element (10), wherein the inclination is oriented towards the container space (2).

3. The partition member (10) according to claim 1, wherein the partition member (10) comprises a thinned portion (320) surrounding the hole wall portion (30).

4. The partition member (10) according to claim 1, wherein the aperture wall portion (30) defines a tapered shape of the aperture (32).

5. The partition member (10) according to claim 1, wherein the aperture wall portion (30) includes a side wall (360) and a bottom plate portion (362) in an extension of the side wall (360), the bottom plate portion (362) defining an aperture (32) in the bottom plate portion and having a thickness smaller than a thickness of the side wall (360).

6. Partition element (10) according to claim 5, wherein the floor portion (362) is curved, preferably circularly curved, away from the feeding space (3).

7. Partition element (10) according to claim 5, wherein the bottom plate portion (362) exhibits a non-uniform thickness, preferably a reduced thickness in the vicinity of the aperture (32).

8. The partition member (10) according to claim 1, wherein the wall thickness of the cell wall portion (30) is within the same order of magnitude of the initial opening of the cell (32).

9. Partition element (10) according to claim 8, wherein the wall thickness is in the range of 0.1mm to 2mm, preferably in the range of 0.1mm to 1.5 mm.

10. The partition member (10) according to claim 1, wherein a height of the aperture wall portion (30), which is defined as an extension of the aperture wall portion (30) in a direction of the aperture (32) with respect to the surrounding portion of the partition member (10), is in a range of 0.01mm to 10mm, more preferably in a range of 0.05mm to 2 mm.

11. The partition element (10) according to claim 1, wherein the partition element (10) comprises at least one of a silicone material and a thermoplastic elastomer, wherein the partition element (10) is manufactured using 2K injection molding, wherein the modulus of elasticity of the material in the region of the aperture wall portion (30) is different from the modulus of elasticity of the material in the region outside the region of the aperture wall portion (30), the modulus of elasticity of the material in the region of the aperture wall portion (30) preferably corresponding to a lower shore hardness than the modulus of elasticity of the material in the region outside the region of the aperture wall portion (30).

12. A partition member (10) according to claim 11, wherein the modulus of elasticity of at least a portion of the partition member (10), preferably at least the pore wall portion (30), is in the range of 10 shore a to 80 shore a, more preferably in the range of 20 shore a to 50 shore a.

13. The partition element (10) according to claim 1, wherein the holes (32) have an oval cross-section, preferably a circular cross-section, wherein the smallest diameter of the holes (32) is in the range of 0.1mm to 2mm, more preferably in the range of 0.2mm to 0.4 mm.

14. The partition member (10) according to claim 1, wherein the partition member (10) is formed as a nipple member (20), the nipple member (20) defining a nipple volume in the nipple member (20) and comprising an attachment portion for attachment with a container member (50) of the bottle device, and a nursing portion for insertion into the mouth of an infant, wherein the aperture wall portion (30) surrounding the aperture (32) is arranged at the nursing portion.

15. A feeding bottle arrangement (1) for feeding an infant, wherein the feeding bottle arrangement (1) comprises a partition member (10) according to claim 1.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a partition member for a feeding bottle device and a feeding bottle comprising a partition member. The partition member is formed as a nipple member in many embodiments, while other partition members are also contemplated, such as a separating ring between the nipple member and the container member. The invention finds particular application in feeding bottles for feeding infants, while other applications are possible.

Background

In addition to breast feeding, feeding bottles comprising a teat part are also well known solutions for feeding infants. Known teat parts have single or multiple small teat holes or openings which regulate the flow of milk from the feeding bottle to the baby. However, when the suction pressure exerted by the infant is too high, the flow rate may become too high and a risk of overfeeding of the infant arises. The reason is that the time delay between the signal being generated in the infant's stomach and the same signal reaching the brain is too great for the infant to effectively reduce the flow and therefore also to limit the amount of milk ultimately consumed before overfeeding.

GB 2015350 a discloses a baby feeding bottle teat which has a delivery opening in the form of a slit on a non-convex (e.g. flat or concave) surface of the end of the teat. This allows the delivery rate to be virtually independent of the infant's suction in the minimum flow position, but to be subject to a well-defined increase or to increased suction in the full flow position. Indicia are provided on the nipple to allow for adjustment of flow by determining the orientation of the slit relative to the lip.

Disclosure of Invention

It may therefore be seen as an object of the present invention to provide an improved teat member and an improved feeding bottle apparatus which allow the risk of overfeeding the infant to be reduced.

According to a first aspect, a partition member for a feeding bottle arrangement is provided. The partition member provides a partition between a container space of the baby bottle apparatus and a feeding space for supplying liquid to the baby. The partition member includes an aperture wall portion surrounding an aperture through the partition member to allow passage of fluid from the container space through the aperture to the feeding space. The hole wall portion is formed such that: when the pressure on the side of the feeding space is lower than the pressure on the side of the receptacle space, the minimum cross-sectional area of the aperture decreases as the pressure difference between the feeding space and the receptacle space increases. The aperture has a first dimension and a second dimension perpendicular to the first dimension, the first dimension being at most twice the second dimension.

Since the minimum cross-sectional area of the aperture decreases with increasing pressure differential, the throughput through the partition and out of the feeding bottle arrangement can be set to be nearly constant, i.e. the flow rate has a reduced dependence on the suction pressure exerted by the baby. Thus, independently of the suction pressure exerted by the infant, the flow rate may preferably be set substantially constant, thus significantly reducing the risk of overfeeding the infant.

Further, since the first size is at most twice the second size, the hole is preferably formed in a sufficiently circular shape or an elliptical shape that allows a stable hole to be formed. A sufficiently round shape or an elliptical shape enables the cross-sectional area of the hole to be changed controllably.

Preferably, the first dimension is at most 1.8 times the second dimension, more preferably the first dimension is at most 1.5 times the second dimension, and in particular the first dimension is at most 1.3 times the second dimension. In the case where the difference between the two dimensions is small, a hole having increased stability can be formed.

To this end, the bore wall portion is preferentially deformed or deflected in response to the applied pressure, wherein the geometry of the bore wall portion causes a reduction in the cross-sectional area of the bore as a result of the deformation or deflection. The shape and form of the bore wall portion is not limited to a particular shape and form so long as the geometric result of the deformation or deflection includes a reduction in the cross-sectional area of the bore.

The partition member itself may be formed as a teat member, i.e. a member designed to latch onto and be sucked by a baby, wherein the aperture formed in the partition member may thus correspond to the nipple aperture of the teat member. In other embodiments, the partition member may also be formed as a separate member between the nipple member and the container member, for example a partition member (such as a partition ring for partitioning the nipple volume from the container volume).

Thus, the feeding space may be directly the space outside the feeding bottle device in case the partition member is formed as a teat member itself, or may be separated from the baby by the teat in case the partition member is formed as a separate partition member. In all cases, liquid is fed to the infant from a feeding space which is separated from the container space by a separating member and which can pass through the separating member, for example via an aperture.

The pressure on the feeding space side is preferably lower than the pressure on the container space side due to the sucking of the baby. A higher pressure difference thus corresponds to a stronger sucking by the baby. Although the infant is preferably a human infant, the application may also be used for feeding bottles for feeding animal infants, preferably mammalian infants.

In a preferred embodiment, the aperture wall portion is inclined with respect to a surrounding portion of the partition member, wherein the inclination is oriented towards the container space.

Preferably, the pressure difference will generate a force acting on the partition element, which force generates a deflection of the aperture wall portion at least in the direction of the feeding space. Since the well wall portions are inclined towards the container space, the end portions of the well wall portions will advantageously become closer together when deflected by the pressure difference in the direction of the feeding space, thereby partially blocking the wells and effectively reducing the cross-sectional area.

In a preferred embodiment, the partition member includes a thinned portion surrounding the hole wall portion.

The thinned portion around the aperture wall portion promotes bending of the aperture wall portion in the direction of the feeding space and thus reduces the cross-sectional area of the aperture. Preferably, the partition member has a substantially constant thickness over its entire surface, while only the thinned portion and optionally additionally the aperture wall portion have a reduced thickness compared to the partition member. Of course, other thickness variations on the partition member are also contemplated, including for attachment purposes, and the like.

In a preferred embodiment, the bore wall portion defines a tapered shape of the bore.

The tapered shape of the bore allows for a simple geometric arrangement for achieving a reduction in cross-sectional area with increased pressure differential. The tapered shape of the aperture is generally understood to be the cross-sectional area of the aperture which varies along the aperture in the neutral or relaxed state of the partition means, i.e. the state in which no pressure difference due to a sucking baby is applied. The bore preferably exhibits a conical shape, i.e. the location of the smallest cross-section is at either end of the bore, or a biconical shape, i.e. the location of the smallest cross-sectional area is somewhere between the two ends of the bore. In other embodiments, cylindrical or other shapes of the bore in the neutral or relaxed state are also contemplated.

In a preferred embodiment, the aperture wall portion comprises a side wall and a floor portion in the extension of the side wall, the floor portion defining an aperture therein and having a thickness less than the thickness of the side wall.

More illustratively, the side walls may be identified as forming a recess in the partition member, and the holes are formed on a bottom plate portion forming a bottom of the recess. The floor section is therefore preferably inclined relative to the side walls so that the applied suction pressure results in a pivoting movement relative to the floor about the connection between the floor section and the side walls. An advantageous reduction of the hole diameter can thus be achieved by a movement of the floor part.

Preferably, the side wall is a cylindrical or tapered side wall, forming a cylindrical or tapered recess.

In a preferred embodiment, the floor part is curved, preferably circularly curved, away from the feeding space.

The curved shape will result in: the diameter of the hole formed in the floor portion decreases when suction pressure is applied from the feeding space side. Preferably, the radius of curvature of the floor section is less than 10 mm.

In a preferred embodiment, the base portion exhibits a non-uniform thickness, preferably a reduced thickness in the vicinity of the aperture. The non-uniform thickness of the floor section facilitates manufacture, for example using a laser or by injection moulding.

In a preferred embodiment, the minimum cross-sectional area of the aperture is defined as the minimum of the cross-sectional areas orthogonal to the direction of flow of the fluid through the aperture. Preferably, the flow direction along the bore is determined and the position along the flow direction of the bore cross-section orthogonal to and along the flow direction through the bore (where the cross-sectional area so determined becomes minimal) is evaluated as the minimum cross-sectional area of the bore.

In a preferred embodiment, the wall thickness of the cell wall portion is within the same order of magnitude as the initial opening of the cell.

The wall thickness of the pore wall section is defined as the extension of the material perpendicular to the surface of the pore, i.e. also perpendicular to the surface of the pore wall section, preferably in the region of the smallest cross-sectional area. The wall thickness of the pore wall portion may be constant over the entire pore wall portion or may vary along the extension of the pore.

The initial opening of the orifice is defined as a neutral or relaxed state, i.e., a state in which no pressure differential is applied in the initial opening of the orifice. Thus, the initial opening corresponds to the smallest extension in diameter, which presents a limiting factor for the flow through the hole. Since the wall thickness is within the same order of magnitude as the initial opening, a sufficiently large flow of fluid to the infant can be ensured, while at the same time the pressure differential typical of a sucking baby is sufficient to cause a substantial reduction in the cross-sectional area. The initial opening of the aperture is much larger than other known valves (e.g. air-inert valves) known for use in conjunction with feeding bottles. More specifically, although the intake valve is oriented in the opposite direction, the intake valve, for example, has an initial opening that is substantially absent and therefore much smaller.

In a preferred embodiment, the wall thickness is in the range of 0.1mm to 2mm, preferably in the range of 0.1mm to 1.5 mm. Wall thicknesses within this range have been shown to provide desirable advantageous characteristics for response to applied pressure for a wide range of materials commonly used in the art.

In a preferred embodiment, the height of the aperture wall portion, defined as the extension of the aperture wall portion in the direction of the aperture relative to the surrounding portion of the partition member, is within the range of 0.01mm to 10mm, more preferably in the range of 0.05mm to 2 mm.

The height of the hole wall portion thus corresponds to the extension of the surrounding portion orthogonal to the partition member. In other words, the height may be identified as the extension of the aperture wall portion to the interior of the container volume relative to the surrounding portion of the partition member. As the aperture wall portions are curved towards the feeding space, in particular the portions of the aperture wall portions extending into the interior of the container volume become closer together. Advantageously, by setting the extent of extension within the preferred range, any deflection of the bore wall portion will result in a sufficiently narrow minimum cross-sectional area of the bore.

In a preferred embodiment, the aperture wall portion forms a duckbill type valve. The duckbill valve according to this embodiment is oriented towards the inside of the container volume, i.e. the opening of the duckbill valve narrows with increasing pressure difference between the container space and the feeding space. However, as already detailed above, a larger initial opening of the duckbill valve is preferred to ensure that the desired flow of fluid to the feeding space is possible.

In a preferred embodiment, the extension of the bore wall portion is configured such that the response time of the bore wall portion to pressure changes is not more than 0.1 seconds, which is fast enough for the pressure.

The response time of the bore wall portion is defined as the time elapsed from the pressure change to the adaptation of the bore wall portion to the changing pressure. Since the response time does not exceed 0.1 second, the response is fast enough for the pressure changes experienced by the infant. In general, it is known that a larger extension leads to a slower response time. In other words, by designing the extension range of the hole wall portion to be sufficiently small, the limit for the response time can be easily satisfied.

In a preferred embodiment, the separating member comprises at least one of: silicone materials and thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs). These materials are of course only examples and in principle any soft material may be used.

In a preferred embodiment, the partition means is manufactured using 2K injection moulding, wherein the modulus of elasticity of the material in the region of the aperture wall portions is different from the modulus of elasticity of the material in the region outside the region of the aperture wall portions, the modulus of elasticity of the material in the region of the aperture wall portions preferably corresponding to a lower shore hardness than the modulus of elasticity of the material in the region outside the region of the aperture wall portions.

Thereby, it is ensured that a deflection or deformation of the separating member caused by the pressure difference occurs at the area of the bore wall portion and thus a favorable influence is exerted on the cross-sectional area of the bore.

In a preferred embodiment, the modulus of elasticity of at least a portion of the separation means, preferably at least the pore wall portion, is in the range of 10 shore a to 80 shore a, more preferably in the range of 20 shore a to 50 shore a.

An excessively high shore hardness will hinder the desired deflection in the case of an application applying the pressure differences normally experienced, while an excessively low shore hardness will lead to a blockage of the opening and thus to an obstruction of the fluid flow. The response to the pressure differential is further improved when the shore hardness falls within the preferred range.

In a preferred embodiment, the holes have an elliptical cross-section, preferably a circular cross-section.

An oval cross-section, preferably a circular cross-section, allows for advantageous fluid flow through the orifice. Preferably, an oval, preferably circular, cross-section is formed at least at the point of the smallest cross-section, and it is further preferred that the shape is oval or circular along the entire hole. However, other cross-sectional shapes can of course be equally well implemented by those skilled in the art.

In a preferred embodiment, the minimum diameter of the holes is in the range of 0.1mm to 2mm, more preferably in the range of 0.2mm to 0.4 mm.

The minimum diameter is defined as the smallest junction of two opposing edge points of the cross-sectional area. Preferably, the minimum diameter of the bore is at least within a preferred range at the point of minimum cross-sectional area in the neutral state, while in another preferred embodiment the minimum diameter remains within the preferred range throughout operation.

In a preferred embodiment, the holes are formed by laser or by injection molding.

It is known that the nipple hole in a readily available nipple part is formed directly during the injection molding process. This can be applied directly to the invention, i.e. by suitably arranging the injection moulding tool, it is also possible to directly form the holes of the partition element showing a favourable pressure response by injection moulding. Additionally or alternatively, laser machining may be used on the separating member as a subsequent step.

In a preferred embodiment, the partition member includes a plurality of holes each partially surrounded by the hole wall. The number of pores is preferably between 1 and 20, and more preferably in the range of 1 to 4. The plurality of holes provides a plurality of possible fluid passages and thus a certain desired fluid flow rate may be ensured even if, for example, one or more of the holes is blocked. Additionally or alternatively, the additional orifices may all exhibit a negative cross-sectional area change with increasing pressure differential, one, more or all of the additional orifices may exhibit a neutral pressure dependence, i.e. no change with pressure, or even a positive change in the minimum cross-sectional area with suction pressure.

In a preferred embodiment, the partition member is formed as a nipple member defining a nipple volume therein and including an attachment portion for attachment with a container member of the bottle apparatus and a nursing portion for insertion into the mouth of the baby, wherein a hole wall portion surrounding the hole is disposed at the nursing portion.

In this embodiment, the advantageous pressure response of the partition element according to the invention may directly replace the currently available nipple element and the nipple hole of the nipple element. More specifically, the teat part according to this embodiment may be used as a replacement part for a teat part of any kind of bottle apparatus, wherein the advantageous layout of the teat holes allows a reduction of the risk of overfeeding of the infant.

According to a second aspect, a feeding bottle apparatus for feeding an infant is provided. The feeding bottle arrangement comprises a partition member according to the first aspect of the invention.

It shall be understood that the partition member of claim 1 and the feeding bottle arrangement of claim 15 have similar and/or identical preferred embodiments, in particular as defined from the dependent claims.

It shall be understood that preferred embodiments of the invention may also be any combination of the dependent claims or the above embodiments with the respective independent claims.

These and other aspects of the invention are apparent from and will be elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter.

Drawings

In the following drawings:

figure 1 shows schematically and exemplarily a feeding bottle arrangement,

figure 2A shows schematically and exemplarily a partition member according to a first example,

figure 2B schematically and exemplarily shows a partition member according to a second example,

figure 2C shows schematically and exemplarily a partition member according to a third example,

figure 2D schematically and exemplarily shows a partition member according to a fourth example,

figure 3 shows schematically and exemplarily a pressure flow diagram,

figure 4A shows schematically and exemplarily a partition member according to a fifth example,

figure 4B schematically and exemplarily shows the partition member of the fifth example in further detail,

fig. 5 shows schematically and exemplarily a top view on the partition element of the fifth example, an

Fig. 6 schematically and exemplarily shows the partition member of the fifth example in further detail.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT (S) OF INVENTION

Fig. 1 schematically and exemplarily shows a feeding bottle device 1, the feeding bottle device 1 comprising a teat member 20, a container member 50 and an attachment member 40, whereby the teat member 20 is attached to the container member 50 by means of the attachment member 40 when the feeding bottle device 1 is used for feeding an infant.

In this example, the liquid in the container space 2 contained in the container part 50 can reach the feeding space 3 outside the nipple part 20 through the nipple hole 24 provided at the nipple part 20.

In this example, the teat part 20 thus forms a partition part 10 separating the container space 2 from the feeding space 3. However, it is contemplated that the partition member 10 may similarly be implemented as, for example, a breakaway ring or breakaway member, such as within the attachment member 40. Therefore, although an example in which the partition member 10 is implemented as the nipple member 20 will be considered in the following description, it should also be emphasized that other implementations of the partition member 10 are possible. Accordingly, in case, for example, the partition member 10 is integrated in a ring within the attachment member 40, the nipple space 22 within the nipple member 20 is separated from the container space 2 by such partition member 10. Thus, in such an example, the teat space 22 will be part of the feeding space 3, since the teat space 22 is located on the opposite side of the partition member 10 to the container space 2.

It is known to regulate the milk flow through one or more teat holes 24 of the order of 0.3 mm. The nipple holes 24 are preferably formed by laser or by injection molding, wherein injection molding produces hole diameters having a standard deviation reduction in diameter compared to those holes formed by laser.

In contrast to the feeding bottle arrangement 1 known in the prior art, the nipple hole 24 according to the example of the invention does not exhibit the following behavior: i.e., the cross-sectional area of the nipple orifice 24 remains constant or increases with increasing suction pressure. In contrast, the cross-sectional area of the nipple orifice 24 according to the present invention decreases with increasing suction pressure, so that the flow of liquid through the nipple orifice 24 is limited even if the infant exerts a very high suction pressure. Thus, the problem of the known feeding bottle device 1 is avoided that the flow may be too high for the infant, since the time delay between the stomach to brain signals is too slow for the infant to reduce the flow of the teat orifice 24, with the result that the infant may be overfed.

The negative effects of overfeeding include: short-term defects such as reflux, and early origin, for example, in "a.singhal and a.lucas cardiovascular diseases: is there a uniform assumption? (The Lancet 363, 1642-1645, 2004) "shows a potential negative impact on health later in life due to The infant growing too fast (i.e. cross growth curve).

The main reason for this effect is the fundamental physical characteristics of the flow rate of the nipple orifice 24. A large part of the flow rate is affected by the suction pressure exerted by the baby, which can produce large variations, resulting in large variations in the flow rate experienced by the baby.

For nipple holes 24 or similar holes also in different partition elements 10, the flow rate Q and the pressure Δ p_teatThe standard formula for the relationship is:

where A is_teatIs the area of the nipple orifice 24 or the like, A_pteatIs the pressure drop over the nipple orifice 24 between the container space 2 and the feeding space 3, ρ is the density of the liquid, and k is a resistance constant, which is of the order of 1 and depends on the orifice details.

The pressure drop across the nipple orifice 24 can be expressed as Δ p_teatPbottle-pbaby (t). The pressure in the bottle depends on the bottle's burst pressure, but this pressure in the bottle is very close to the atmosphere, about 15mbar below atmospheric pressure, which is small compared to the suction pressure exerted by the baby. So we get approximately Δ p_teat≈Δpbaby。

In order to have a fairly constant flow rate, the area of the nipple orifice should ideally scale according to the following conditions:

more generally, the relationship satisfies:

A_teat∝(Δp_teat)^-α(equation 3)

Where alpha is a positive number, this relationship will already show a beneficial restriction of flow with increasing pressure drop. More generally, a response function in which the area of the nipple orifice 24 varies according to the following equation:

A_teat∝f(Δp_teat) (equation 4)

Wherein f (Δ p)_teat) Is a function having a negative derivative of Δ p, at least in some parts of the Δ p domain, thus A_teatWith increasing Δ p_teatAnd decrease, or A_teatAlso with increasing Δ p_babyAnd decreases, the response function will produce the desired limiting result on the flow.

The sucking pressure exerted by the baby with the tongue varies approximately sinusoidally, with a frequency of approximately 1 Hz.

In this example, the general suction pressure as a function of time may be given by:

based on this, the average flow thus follows the insertion of equation (5) into equation (1) and integration over time

The results were:

it can be seen that for varying suction pressures, for example sinusoidally varying suction pressures, an increase in flow with increasing maximum suction pressure will be observed.

Literature data on the change in suction pressure in a baby varies greatly from the reported determined value of the maximum suction pressure produced by the baby. Mizuno et al reported a maximum suck pressure of 122mbar with a standard deviation of 35mbar in a study at volume 59, pages 728-731 of the 2006 child study, Lau et al reported 176mbar + -46 mbar (standard deviation) at volume 92, pages 721-727 of the Erysical Sci, 2003, and studies performed by the applicant reported 280mbar + -70 mbar (standard deviation). Although all these studies contain only a small number of infants (of the order of 10) and therefore there is a large uncertainty in both mean and standard deviation, the results show that the infants can exert a range of maximum sucking pressures from 80mbar to 320mbar on the sucking pressure. Based on equation 7, this results in a flow difference of a factor of 2, which is very important and preferably reduced.

The main element of the present invention is therefore to provide a nipple aperture 24 or a similar corresponding aperture of the partition member 10, which nipple aperture 24 or similar corresponding aperture at least partially reacts negatively to the suction pressure exerted by the baby. Thus, variations in flow rate, typically due to variations in the baby's sucking, are counteracted. The particular arrangement and geometric design of the nipple holes 24 and surrounding portions of the nipple member 20, such as for the partition member 10, is not limited to a particular layout.

The principle implementation of the solution according to the invention is based on a valve integrated in the material of the partition element 10, the partition element 10 being shown in four different examples in fig. 2A to 2D. In all examples, the pressure difference over the valve increases, i.e. the pressure in the port decreases, and the cross-sectional area of the orifice for the flow of liquid decreases, according to the principles of the present invention.

Fig. 2A schematically and exemplarily shows a first example of the partition member 10, the partition member 10 including a hole 32 surrounded by a hole wall portion 30. As described above, in the case where the partition member 10 is implemented as a part of the nipple member 20, the hole 32 may correspond to the nipple hole 24, and other separate implementations of the partition member 10 are also possible.

In the example of fig. 2A, the aperture wall portion 30 includes a first portion 310 and an inclined portion 312, the first portion 310 being substantially the same as an adjacent portion of the partition member 10. In this example, the angled portion 312 is substantially perpendicular to the first portion 310 and thus defines a substantially cylindrical shape of the bore 32. In this example, the bore wall portion 30 thus comprises a straight wall. When the negative pressure (i.e. the pressure difference or pressure drop over the aperture 32) on the feeding space 3 side relative to the container space 2 side increases, the two opposite end points 314 and 316 are closer to each other.

In contrast to the straight wall of the example of fig. 2A, in the examples of fig. 2B to 2D, the hole wall portions 30 respectively show tapered walls.

In fig. 2B, the bore wall portion 30 includes a thinned portion 320 adjacent to a tapered wall portion 322. The shape of the hole 32 is tapered such that the diameter or cross-sectional area of the hole 32 decreases from the feeding space 3 side to the container space 2 side. Since the narrowest cross-sectional area is at the thinnest wall thickness location, i.e., at the end portion of the tapered wall portion 322, the example of fig. 2B will show a large change in cross-sectional area as a function of pressure.

The examples of fig. 2C and 2D show different tapers of the hole 32, i.e., the hole diameter D_hIncreasing from the feeding space 3 side to the container space 2 side in fig. 2C, and the smallest diameter is in the center of the hole 32 in the example of fig. 2D.

Common to all examples is that the area of the aperture 32 responds negatively to suction pressure. The aperture 32 may be designed in a manner that matches the aperture 32 to the average flow produced by an infant, for example, during breastfeeding.

Wall thickness T of the cell wall portion 30_wPreferably of the order of 0.1mm to 1mm and is therefore rather thin.

The partition element 10 according to the invention implements a principle comparable to the vent valves known in the context of the feeding bottle arrangement 1, while the implementation details are clearly different. Most significantly, the exhaust valve opens with a higher pressure difference, whereas the opening and the flow cross section are thus reduced with respect to the invention. Further, typical pressure differences discussed in the present invention, i.e. the response pressure to the orifice 32, are of the order of 150mbar to 200mbar, whereas the pressure difference of the exhaust valve does not exceed 15mbar to 20 mbar.

Diameter D of bore 32_hPreferably of the order of 0.1mm to 2mm and more preferably in the range of 0.2mm to 0.4 mm. The shape of the aperture at the smallest cross-sectional area is preferably circular, but may be other shapes, such as elliptical.

The height of the hole wall portion 30 above the surrounding area of the partition member 10 is in the range of 0.01mm to 10mm, and more preferably in the range of 0.05mm to 2 mm.

The modulus of elasticity of the material of partition member 10, and in particular the modulus of elasticity of the material of hole wall portions 30, is in the range of 10 shore a to 80 shore a, and more preferably in the range of 20 shore a to 50 shore a.

The design of the orifice wall portion 30 implementing the valve is preferably such that it can respond quickly, i.e. preferably faster than 0.1 seconds, and therefore faster than the suction pressure change frequency (which is approximately equal to 1 Hz). Therefore, the size of the hole wall portion 30 is not too large.

Preferably, a 2K moulding of partition component 10 (e.g. implemented as a teat component 20) may be made in which all or a significant portion of the material of partition component 10 outside the area surrounding aperture 32 (i.e. substantially outside aperture wall portion 30) is made of a material having a different shore hardness to the material from which aperture wall portion 30 is made, and preferably a material having a greater shore hardness than the material from which aperture wall portion 30 is made.

It is also preferred to combine a plurality of holes 32 in a single partition member 10, wherein the number of holes preferably varies between 1 and 20, and more preferably ranges from 1 to 4.

It is also possible to combine the aperture 32 according to the invention with one or more apertures that do not vary with pressure (i.e. comparable to known nipple apertures), or to combine the aperture 32 according to the invention with one or more apertures whose minimum cross-sectional area is varying with suction pressure.

Further, as mentioned above, although the preferred locations of the hole 32 and the partition member 10 are the nipple hole 24 and the nipple member 20, respectively, it is also possible to vary the locations of the hole 32 and the partition member 10 to different locations, for example to separate discs in the attachment member 40.

For the material of the partition member 10, for example, the nipple member 20, any soft material such as silicone rubber or TPE may be used.

It should be noted that it is in principle possible to manufacture the holes 30 with such a long length that equation 1 no longer applies and that also a resistance to the incoming pipe flow is required. Still in this case, the general principles described above with respect to the teat of the aperture 32 will be retained.

Fig. 3 shows schematically and exemplarily: the flow Q (on the vertical axis) over the applied pressure difference (on the horizontal axis) for different orifice or valve arrangements. Reference line 310 depicts the behavior for a constant diameter hole. With increasing pressure differential, the flow rate is constantly increasing.

Lines 320 and 330 depict the behavior of fluid flow over a pressure differential for partition member 10 according to the present invention, while the shore hardness of partition member 10 is higher for partition members 10 below line 320 and then higher for line 330. For a stiff material, such as line 320, the flow scales with reference to line 310 and decreases only relatively slightly. For softer materials, the flow tends to be smooth and even drops, as shown by line 330. Thus, by measuring the flow rate as a function of the pressure difference, it can be easily seen whether the partition member 10 meets the requirements of the present invention.

In one embodiment, the aperture 32 may also flex when the pressure differential or pressure drop exceeds a certain maximum value. In this way, the flow rate is drastically reduced so that the infant does not receive a reward for such excessive sucking. The infant is therefore encouraged to adjust the infant's suction pressure to a lower value, which in turn reduces flow and prevents overfeeding over long and short periods.

Fig. 4A, 4B, 5 and 6 schematically and exemplarily show different views on a partition member 10 according to a fifth example. The fifth example shown in fig. 4A, 4B, 5 and 6 is another solution for achieving a reduction of the aperture area by an increased suction pressure.

The partition member 10 according to the fifth example is realized in a nipple member 20, more precisely, the nipple orifice 24 of the nipple member 20 realizes the function of an orifice 32 having a reduced area in case of an increased suction pressure. In this example, the aperture wall portion 30 and the aperture 32 correspond to the area of the nipple aperture 24.

A detailed view of the fifth example is provided in fig. 4B, a top view is shown in fig. 5, and another exemplary detail is shown in fig. 6.

In this example, the aperture wall portion 30 comprises an inward recess into, for example, the silicon of the teat unit 20 and comprises a cylindrical sidewall portion 360. In other examples, the sidewall portion 360 may also taper inwardly or outwardly and thus not form a precise cylinder therein.

Preferably, the cylindrical sidewall portion 360 has a wall thickness of 0.1mm to 2mm and a length of 1mm to 10 mm. As an extension of the cylindrical sidewall 360, a base or floor portion 362 is provided. The floor portion 362 reduces the size of the opening of the cylindrical sidewall 360 so that the extension D may be obtained as desired_hAnd (2) the aperture 32. Preferably, the diameter D_hIs in the range of 0.1mm to 1 mm.

The floor part 362 is provided in a curved, preferably circular curved shape, wherein the curve is directed away from the feeding space 3. Preferably, the radius 366 of the floor portion 362 is less than 10mm in a plane such as that shown in FIG. 4B. The diameter of the bottom plate portion 362 is preferably in the range of 0.5mm to 10mm corresponding to the opening of the lower end of the cylindrical sidewall 360.

The core of the fifth example is that the thickness of the bottom plate portion 362 is smaller than the thickness of the cylindrical sidewall 360, such that at the transition between the cylindrical sidewall 360 and the bottom plate portion 362, indicated as pivot point 364, an upward movement of the base portion 362 (corresponding to a pivoting motion about the pivot point 364) occurs when pressure is applied. The greater the suction pressure applied to the feeding space 3 side of the partition member 10, the greater the upward movement of the floor portion 362. Due to this movement and geometrical constraint, the opening area of the aperture 32 through which milk needs to flow is therefore reduced.

Although a single aperture 32 is shown in the examples of fig. 4A, 4B, 5 and 6, it should be noted that a plurality of such apertures 32 may also be provided. The plurality of holes 32 may be arranged at the same floor portion 362 or in the trace of a plurality of provided nipple holes 24.

Fig. 5 schematically and exemplarily shows a top view on the bottom plate portion 362, the bottom plate portion 362 showing the hole 32 at its center. When such an indentation (impression) is applied, the diameter of the hole 32 decreases with increasing pressure difference.

Finally, fig. 6 shows schematically and exemplarily a further modification of the fifth example introduced in fig. 4A in more detail. In fig. 6, a non-uniformly shaped floor portion 362 is shown. More specifically, for example, the thickness of floor portion 362 may be reduced in the area of aperture 32 (shown as area 368) to facilitate fabrication of aperture 32 using a laser or molding. The thickness of the floor portion 362 in the region 368 is preferably at a diameter D corresponding to the diameter of the hole 32 itself_hIn the same range, i.e. also in the range of 0.1mm to 1 mm.

Other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims.

In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality.

A single unit, component or device may fulfill the functions of several items recited in the claims. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.