Chewer with a piston mechanism for enhanced food dispensing

Abstract

A chewing device (e.g., a baby fruit feeder) includes a piston mechanism within a handle to enhance food dispensing. As the child consumes the food, the piston propels any remaining food pieces toward the end of a silicone or mesh container, ensuring effective use. The device includes a snap-fit ​​connection between the piston and handle using a rod and threads to prevent disassembly and rotation during use, thereby enhancing the chewing device's safety and functionality.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to an infant feeding device, specifically a chewing device or infant fruit feeder designed to allow infants to safely consume fresh fruit or other soft foods. This utility model focuses particularly on improved designs that enhance the usability and safety of the device. Background Technology

[0002] Chewing machines, also known as baby fruit feeders, are common devices used to feed infants solid foods. These devices typically consist of a mesh or silicone container for holding the food, allowing children to suck or chew without the risk of choking. However, traditional chewing machines often leave a large amount of food residue in the container, making it difficult for children to eat. By introducing a mechanism to ensure the effective use of the food placed in the chewing machine, this invention improves upon existing designs, thereby reducing waste and enhancing the feeding experience. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This invention provides a chewer with an inventive piston mechanism integrated into a handle 10 of the device. This mechanism is designed to push any remaining food pieces closer to the end of the silicone or mesh container as the child eats. The piston 13 is controlled by the handle 10; when rotated, the handle advances the piston forward, ensuring the child always has access to the food.

[0004] The key features of this utility model are:

[0005] The piston 13 and handle 10 are designed as separate components, connected by a tight snap-fit ​​engagement facilitated by a rod 11 with external threads 12 and internal threads 33 on the top cover 30, which facilitates assembly during manufacturing. This connection is tight enough to prevent the piston from rotating independently of the handle during use, thus ensuring consistent operation. Attached Figure Description

[0006] Figure 1 This is a front view showing the overall structure of the chewer.

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

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

[0009] Figure 4 This is a front side view of a chewer without the protective cap 70.

[0010] Figure 5This is an exploded view of the chewer, showing the handle 10, rod 11, piston 13, upper cover 30, lower cover 50, and protective cap 70 before assembly.

[0011] Figure 6 This is a bottom view of the chewing device.

[0012] Figure 7 This is a top view of the chewing device.

[0013] Figure 8 This is a cross-sectional view of the chewer with the piston 13 fixed in place.

[0014] Figure 9 It is a detailed view showing the connection relationship of rod 11, thread 12, piston 13, upper cover 30, lower cover, container 60, etc.

[0015] Figure 10 and Figure 11 This is a close-up view of a chewer that presses the piston 13 into the container 60 by rotating the handle 10.

[0016] Reference numerals: 10-Handle, 11-Rod, 12-External thread, 13-Piston, 14-Rod head, 15-Sealing ring, 30-Upper cover, 33-Hole, 35-Lower surface, 36-External hinge ring, 37-Groove, 38-Groove, 40-Hinge pin, 50-Lower cover, 51-Resilient pin, 52-Pin lock, 53-Protrusion, 54-Inner hinge ring, 55-Protrusion, 60-Container, 61-Hole, 62-Cavity, 63-Cylindrical surface, 64-Ring, 65-Upper surface of ring, 66-Lower surface of ring, 70-Protective cap, 71-Leg.

[0017] In all the accompanying drawings, the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements. Detailed Implementation

[0018] The principles of this 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 assist those skilled in the art in understanding and implementing this invention, and do not imply any limitation on the scope of this invention. The disclosure herein can be implemented in various ways other than those described below.

[0019] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit 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 “comprising,” “including,” “having,” “providing,” “supplying,” “containing,” and / or “included in,” when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, elements, and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, components, and / or combinations thereof. Furthermore, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with some embodiments, it is assumed that in conjunction with other embodiments, influencing such feature, structure, or characteristic is within the knowledge of those skilled in the art, whether explicitly described or not.

[0020] structure:

[0021] like Figures 1 to 11 As shown, the chewing device includes a hollow handle 10 that houses a piston 13, which is designed to slide within the handle. The handle 10 is ergonomically shaped for comfortable grip by adults or children. At one end of the handle, a mesh or silicone container 60 for holding food is fixed. The piston 13 is located within the container, and when the handle 10 is rotated, the piston advances, pushing the food piece closer to the end of the container, making it easier for a child to eat.

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

[0023] Reference Figures 1 to 3 The image shows a front view of a chewer according to an embodiment of the present invention. A container 60 is held between an upper cover 30 and a lower cover 50, the lower cover 50 being 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 (e.g., fruit). A resilient pin 51 and a pin lock 52 are used to lock the upper cover 30 and the lower cover 50. The upper cover 30 has a slot 37 for the pin. A protective cap 70 is also provided to cover the container 60 when not in use. The protective cap 70 has legs 71 to keep the device upright. Figure 4 This 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 5This is an exploded view of a chewer according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown, one end of the rod 11 is fixedly connected to the handle 10, and the other end has a rod head 14, which engages with the piston 13. In one embodiment, the rod head 14 has a reduced rod diameter, forming an annular flange at its tip. The outer diameter of the flange is larger than the diameter of the adjacent rod body. The lower surface of the flange is a flat bearing surface, and the upper surface is a chamfered guide surface. The piston 13 is formed of an elastic material such as rubber and has an internal cavity and an opening communicating with the cavity. The diameter of the opening is smaller than that of the cavity to form an elastic claw. During assembly, when the rod head 14 is inserted into the cavity of the piston through the opening, the chamfered guide surface of the flange compresses the opening, causing it to expand radially until the flange completely passes over the opening. Then, the claw springs back and engages in the annular groove between the bearing surface of the lower surface of the flange and the rod body, achieving axial locking. A sealing ring 15 is provided on the piston 13 to seal any possible gaps 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 hole 33, a lower surface 35, an outer hinge ring 36, a slot 37 for a latch, and a hinge pin 40. The hole 33, with internal threads, engages with the threads on the rod 12. Additionally, a recess 38 for the piston 13 is provided, such as... Figure 8 As shown.

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

[0026] Figure 6 This is a bottom view of a chewing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The handle 10 portion is available in... Figure 6 I saw it in the middle. Figure 7 This is a top view of a chewing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 7 The dashed lines with arrows 8, 10, and 11 indicate specific directions.

[0027] Piston mechanism:

[0028] The piston 13 is designed to move longitudinally within the container when the handle is turned. This movement is controlled by an external thread 12 on the rod 11, which engages with a corresponding internal thread 33 on the top cover 30. This design allows for smooth, controlled propulsion of the piston 13 without requiring excessive force.

[0029] Clip-on connection:

[0030] See Figure 10 and Figure 11 The snap-fit ​​connection between the piston 13 and the handle 10 is a key feature of this 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, which has external threads 12 that mate with the internal threads 33 of the top cover 30, and a rod head 14 that snaps into the piston 13. This snap-fit ​​connection is irreversible, preventing disassembly by the end user and ensuring the device remains intact throughout its service life.

[0031] 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 as defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or actions described above. Rather, the specific features and actions described above are disclosed as examples of implementing the claims.

Claims

1. A chewing device having a piston mechanism for enhancing food dispensing, characterized in that, include: handle; The container is fixed to one end of the handle; The piston, located inside the container, is designed to advance longitudinally toward the container when the handle is turned; as well as A snap-fit ​​connection is facilitated by a rod having external threads that engage with internal threads on the top cover for holding the container, thereby ensuring a secure assembly and preventing the piston from rotating relative to the handle during use.

2. The chewing device with a piston mechanism for enhanced food dispensing according to claim 1, characterized in that, The piston and the handle are connected by a snap-fit ​​connection that is irreversible by the end user.

3. The chewing device with a piston mechanism for enhanced food dispensing according to claim 1, characterized in that, One end of the rod is fixedly connected to the handle, and the other end has a rod head that engages with the piston.

4. The chewing device with a piston mechanism for enhanced food dispensing according to claim 1, characterized in that, The piston is advanced by turning the handle.

5. The chewing device with a piston mechanism for enhanced food dispensing according to claim 1, characterized in that, A sealing ring is arranged on the piston to seal the piston and the inner surface of the container.

6. The chewing device with a piston mechanism for enhanced food dispensing according to claim 1, characterized in that, The container is made of mesh or silicone and has holes for feeding.

7. The chewing device with a piston mechanism for enhanced food dispensing according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a lower cover for holding the container, the lower cover being hinged to the upper cover.

8. The chewing device with a piston mechanism for enhanced food dispensing according to claim 7, characterized in that, The lower cover and the upper cover are hinged together by a combination of an outer hinge ring, an inner hinge ring, and a hinge pin.

9. The chewing device with a piston mechanism for enhanced food dispensing according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a protective cap to cover the container when it is not in use.

10. The chewing device according to claim 9, having a piston mechanism for enhancing food dispensing, characterized in that, The protective cap has legs.

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