Chewing device with piston mechanism for enhanced food dispensing

Abstract

A chewing device (e.g., an infant fruit feeder) includes a piston mechanism within a handle. When a child eats food, the piston pushes the remaining food mass towards the end of the silicone or mesh container, thereby ensuring effective use. The apparatus comprises: a nut to prevent unintended movement of the piston; and a snap-fit connection between the piston and the handle using the rod and threads to prevent detachment and rotation during use, thereby enhancing the safety and functionality of the chewing device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a baby feeding device, in particular to a chewing device or baby fruit feeder, which is designed to allow babies to safely eat fresh fruit or other soft foods. The present invention particularly focuses on an improved design that enhances the usability and safety of the device. Background Art

[0002] Masticators, also known as infant fruit feeders, are commonly used devices for feeding solid foods to infants. These devices typically consist of a mesh or silicone container that holds food, allowing children to suck or chew the food without the risk of choking. However, traditional masticators often leave a large amount of food residue in the container, making it difficult for children to eat. The present invention improves on existing designs by introducing a mechanism that ensures efficient use of the food placed in the masticator, thereby reducing waste and enhancing the feeding experience. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The utility model provides a chewing device with an innovative piston mechanism integrated into the handle (10) of the device. The mechanism is designed to push the remaining food pieces closer to the end of the silicone or mesh container when the child eats the food. The piston (13) is controlled by the handle (10), and when it is turned, the handle pushes the piston forward, ensuring that the child can always access the food.

[0004] A key feature of the invention is the inclusion of a nut (20) which secures the piston in place, thereby preventing children from accidentally or deliberately turning the handle while eating. This safety measure ensures the device operates as intended and minimises the risk of injury.

[0005] Furthermore, the piston (13) and handle (10) are designed as separate components that are connected by a tight snap fit, facilitated by the stem (11) having external threads (12) and internal threads (33) on the upper cover (30), which allows for easy assembly during manufacturing. The connection is tight enough to prevent the piston from rotating independently of the handle during use, thereby ensuring consistent operation. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] Figure 1 1 is a front view of the chewing apparatus showing the overall structure.

[0007] Figure 2 is a front view of the chewer showing the container (60) assembly inside the protective cap (70).

[0008] Figure 3 It is another front view of the chewing device according to the present invention.

[0009] Figure 4 is a side front view of the chew without the protective cap (70).

[0010] Figure 5 It is an exploded view of the chewing device, showing the handle (10), rod (11), piston (13), nut (20), upper cover (30), lower cover (50) and protective cap (70) before assembly.

[0011] Figure 6 It is a bottom view of the masticator.

[0012] Figure 7 It is a top view of the chewer.

[0013] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the chew showing the locking mechanism (20) that secures the piston (13) in place.

[0014] Figure 9 It is a detailed view showing the connection relationship of the rod (11), thread (12), piston (13), sealing ring (14), locking mechanism (20), container (60), etc.

[0015] Figure 10 and Figure 11 It is a close-up view of the chewing device showing the piston (13) with the sealing ring (14) being pressed into the container (60) by rotating the handle (10).

[0016] Figure markings: 10-handle, 11-rod, 12-external thread, 13-piston, 14-sealing ring, 15-portion of the handle, 20-nut, 21-hole, 30-upper cover, 31-conical protrusion, 32-external conical thread, 33-hole, 34-groove, 35-lower surface, 36-external hinge ring, 37-groove, 38-groove, 40-hinge pin, 50-lower cover, 51-elastic latch, 50-lower cover, 52-latch lock, 53-protrusion, 54-inner hinge ring, 55-protrusion, 60-container, 61-hole, 62-cavity, 63-cylindrical surface, 64-ring, 65-upper surface of the ring, 66-lower surface of the ring, 70-protective cap, 71-leg.

[0017] Throughout the drawings, the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] The principles of the present invention will now be described with reference to some embodiments. It should be understood that these embodiments are described for illustrative purposes only and to help those skilled in the art understand and implement the present invention, and do not imply any limitation on the scope of the present invention. The disclosure described herein may be implemented in various ways other than those described below.

[0019] The terms used herein are used only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the exemplary embodiments. For example, as used herein, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" are also intended to include the plural forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms "include", "comprise", "include", "have", "have", "provide", "supply", "contain" and / or "are included therein", when used herein, specify the presence of the stated features, elements and / or components, etc., but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, components and / or combinations thereof. In addition, when a particular feature, structure or characteristic is described in conjunction with some embodiments, it is considered to be within the knowledge of those skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure or characteristic in conjunction with other embodiments, regardless of whether it is explicitly described.

[0020] structure:

[0021] like Figures 1 to 11 As shown, the chewing device includes a hollow handle (10) that houses a piston (13) that is designed to slide inside the handle. The handle (10) is designed to be ergonomically shaped so that an adult or child can hold it comfortably. At one end of the handle, a mesh or silicone container (60) for placing food is fixed. The piston (13) is located in the container, and when the handle (10) is turned, the piston advances, pushing the food piece closer to the end of the container, making it easier for children to eat.

[0022] The piston (13) is connected to the handle (10) via a snap-fit ​​connection, allowing for easy assembly during manufacturing. The connection is facilitated by a rod (11) having external threads (12) that mate with internal threads (33) of the upper cover (30). The snap-fit ​​connection is tight enough to prevent the piston from rotating independently of the handle during use, thereby ensuring consistent operation.

[0023] Reference Figures 1 to 3 , which shows a front view of a chewing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The container (60) is clamped by a lower cover (50), which is hinged to the upper cover (30) by a combination of an outer hinge ring (36), an inner hinge ring (54) and a hinge pin (40). The container (60) has a hole (61) for feeding pieces (such as fruit). A resilient latch (51) and a latch lock (52) are used to lock the upper cover (30) and the lower cover (50). There is a slot (37) for the latch. A protective cap (70) is also provided to cover the container (60) when it is not in use. The protective cap (70) has legs (71) to keep the device upright. Figure 4 1 is a side front view of a chewing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 As shown, there is a protrusion (55) for fastening the cap 70.

[0024] Figure 5 This is an exploded view of a chewing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, a sealing ring (14) is provided on the piston (13) to seal any gap between the piston (13) and the inner surface of the container (60), thereby minimizing the risk of fruit pieces penetrating behind the piston (13). The upper cover (30) includes a tapered protrusion (31), an external tapered thread (32), a hole (33), a collet clamp groove (34), a lower surface (35), an external hinge ring (36), a groove (37) for a latch, and a hinge pin (40). The nut (20) for fixing the position of the piston has a hole (21) with an internal tapered thread, which mates with the thread on the tapered protrusion (31). The external tapered thread (32) of the collet clamp mates with the thread of the nut (21). The hole (33) with the internal thread mates with the thread on the rod (12). A collet clamp groove (34) is provided. Furthermore, a recess (38) for the piston (13) is provided, e.g. Figure 8 shown.

[0025] The lower cover (50) includes a resilient latch (51), a latch lock (52), a protrusion (53) for supporting the container ring from below, an inner hinge ring (54), and a protrusion (55) for fastening the cap (70). The container (60) has a cavity (62) for accommodating pieces such as fruit, a cylindrical surface (63) for abutting the piston (13), a ring (64) for clamping the container (60), an upper surface (65) of the ring, and a lower surface (66) of the ring. The upper surface (65) abuts the surface of the upper cover (35), and the lower surface (66) of the ring abuts the surface of the lower cover (53).

[0026] Figure 6 1 is a bottom view of a chewing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The portion (15) of the handle (10) can be Figure 6 Seen in. Figure 7 1 is a top view of a chewing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 、 Figure 2 and Figure 7 The dotted lines with arrows 8, 10, and 11 in FIG. 8 indicate specific directions.

[0027] Piston mechanism:

[0028] The piston (13) is designed to move longitudinally within the handle (10) when the handle is turned. This movement is controlled by external threads (12) on the rod (11), which engage with corresponding internal threads (33) on the upper cover (30). This design allows for smooth, controlled advancement of the piston (13) without requiring excessive force.

[0029] Locknut features:

[0030] See also Figure 8 and Figure 9 A nut (20) is integrated into the design so that the piston (13) is secured once the desired position is reached. This nut (20) is located on the handle (10) and can be engaged or disengaged by the user. When engaged, it prevents the piston (13) from moving, thereby ensuring that children cannot accidentally turn the handle (10) while eating.

[0031] Snap-fit ​​connection:

[0032] See also Figure 10 and Figure 11 The snap-fit ​​connection between the piston (13) and the handle (10) is a key feature of the design. It allows the piston (13) to be inserted during the manufacturing process and ensures that the piston and handle remain securely connected during use. This connection is facilitated by a rod (11) having external threads (12) that mate with internal threads (33) of the upper cover (30). This snap-fit ​​connection is irreversible, preventing disassembly by the end user and ensuring that the device remains intact throughout its service life.

[0033] Although the present invention has been described in language specific to structural features and / or methodological actions, it should be understood that the present invention defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or actions described above. Instead, the specific features and actions described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.

Claims

1. A chewing device, characterized in that: include: handle; a mesh or silicone container secured to one end of the handle; a piston housed within the handle and designed to be advanced longitudinally toward the container when the handle is rotated; a nut that secures the piston in a fixed position to prevent unintended movement; and A snap-fit ​​connection, facilitated by a stem having external threads that mate with internal threads on the upper cap, is used to clamp the container, thereby ensuring a secure assembly and preventing the piston from rotating relative to the handle during use.

2. The chewing device according to claim 1, characterized in that in, The piston and the handle are connected by the snap-fit ​​connection, which is irreversible by the end user.

3. The chewing device according to claim 1, wherein in, The nut is operable to engage the piston to secure the piston or disengage the piston to release the piston.

4. The chewing device according to claim 1, wherein in, The piston is advanced by turning the handle and threads on the piston engage threads on the rod.

5. The chewing device according to claim 1, wherein in, A sealing ring is disposed on the piston to seal the piston and an inner surface of the container.

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