Lip closing training tool

Abstract

To provide a training tool suitable for lip closing training.SOLUTION: A spoon 10 which is a training tool used to train lip closing when a parent or the like (food provider) feeds food intraorally to an infant IF or the like (person who eats), includes: a grip part 11 held by the parent or the like; a scooping part 12 (food supply part) extending forward from an end of grip part 11; and a lower jaw pressing part 13 provided below the scooping part 12 and pressing against a lower jaw front part JW of the infant IF or the like when at least a tip of the scooping part 12 is inserted into the intraoral cavity of the infant IF or the like, thereby suppressing a movement of chin muscle MS2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a training tool for lip closure.

Background Art

[0002] A human, who is a mammal, attaches the lips (upper lip and lower lip) closely to the breast and fixes the nipple with the tongue to breastfeed during lactation. However, when entering the weaning period, the upper lip remains as it is while the lower lip is rolled into the oral cavity and the food is ingested and swallowed. When the lower lip is rolled into the oral cavity during eating, it becomes difficult to lower the upper lip toward the lower lip side, making it difficult to achieve a lip-closed state. Therefore, during the weaning period, it is desirable to perform training for lip closure to close the upper lip and the lower lip.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a spoon for training an infant from the lactation period to the weaning period to ingest solid or semi-solid food. The spoon is provided with positioning means for holding the bowl portion (scooping portion) in an appropriate position when inserting the bowl portion into the oral cavity of the infant. According to the spoon of Patent Document 1, the bowl portion can be inserted into the oral cavity at an appropriate insertion depth by the positioning means.

[0004] Also, even in adults, lip closure insufficiency (so-called slack mouth) can cause problems such as habitual mouth breathing or dryness of the oral cavity, so it is desirable to perform lip closure training.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] In the spoon of Patent Document 1, although the insertion length of the bowl portion can be made appropriate, it is not possible to suppress the entrainment of the lower lip toward the oral cavity side. And in the state where the lower lip is entrained toward the oral cavity side, it becomes difficult to lower the upper lip toward the lower lip side, so that it becomes difficult to close the lips. The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a training tool suitable for lip closure training.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention is a training tool used when a food provider supplies food into the oral cavity of a diner for lip closure training, and includes a gripping portion gripped by the food provider, a food supply portion extending forward from the tip of the gripping portion, and a lower jaw pressing portion provided below the food supply portion and contacting and pressing the front part of the diner's lower jaw when at least the tip of the food supply portion is inserted into the oral cavity of the diner, and suppressing the movement of the diner's zygomatic muscle.

Effects of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a training tool suitable for lip closure training.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] <Process of Completing the Invention> First, the process by which the inventor completed the invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a part of the facial muscles of an infant IF, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a spoon 10 (training tool) according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, around the upper lip LPU and the lower lip LPD of an infant IF (food eater), there is an orbicularis oris muscle MS1. The orbicularis oris muscle MS1 is a muscle that, for example, functions to make the lips LP pointed forward. Below the orbicularis oris muscle MS1 at the left and right centers of the lower lip LPD, there is a mentalis muscle MS2. The mentalis muscle MS2 has the effect of lifting the lower lip LPD by contraction, and also contracts when the lower lip LPD is drawn into the oral cavity. The origin MS2a of the mentalis muscle MS2 exists between the lower incisors on both sides of the lower jaw and the chin, specifically, on the surface of the apical bone of the lower incisors on both sides of the lower jaw.

[0011] On both the left and right outer sides of the mentalis muscle MS2, there is a depressor labii inferioris muscle MS3. The depressor labii inferioris muscle MS3 is a muscle that functions to pull the lower lip LPD obliquely downward on the left and right outer sides. On both the left and right outer sides of the depressor labii inferioris muscle MS3, there is a depressor anguli oris muscle MS4. The depressor anguli oris muscle MS4 is a muscle that functions to pull the upper lip LPU and the corners of the mouth downward. On one side, on the upper lip LPU side, there are the levator labii superioris muscle MS5 and the zygomaticus minor muscle MS6. The levator labii superioris muscle MS5 originates directly below the inferior orbital margin and inserts into the upper lip LPU and a part of the nasal wing. The levator labii superioris muscle MS5 is a muscle that mainly functions to lift the upper lip LPU. The zygomaticus minor muscle MS6 originates from the canine fossa on the anterior surface of the maxilla and inserts into the muscles at the corner of the mouth and the upper lip LPU. The zygomaticus minor muscle MS6 is a muscle that functions to pull the upper lip LPU and the corner of the mouth upward.

[0012] The inventor has intensively studied the training for lip closure, and noticed that when the mentalis muscle MS2 (especially the origin MS2a) is pressed, the contraction of the mentalis muscle MS2 is suppressed and the movement of curling the lower lip LPD into the oral cavity is restricted. As shown in FIG. 2, the inventor conceived a spoon 10 provided with a mandible pressing portion 13 below the scooping portion 12 (food supply portion). By using the spoon 10, when the scooping portion 12 is inserted into the oral cavity of the infant IF, the mandible pressing portion 13 presses the front part JW of the mandible of the infant IF to suppress the movement of the mentalis muscle MS2 and restrict the movement of the lower lip LPD. The inventor considered that an infant IF in a state where the movement of the lower lip LPD is restricted can efficiently acquire the lip closure movement by using facial muscles other than the mentalis muscle MS2 and moving the upper lip LPU toward the lower lip LPD, and thus completed the invention.

[0013] <Regarding the Embodiment of the Present Invention> Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the components, types, combinations, shapes, relative arrangements, etc. described in each embodiment are merely illustrative examples and do not limit the scope of the present invention only thereto without specific description. For example, in the first embodiment, the spoon 10 used for training lip closure for an infant IF will be described. However, the training tool according to the present invention is not limited to the spoon 10 for an infant IF. The training tool according to the present invention may be, for example, the spoon 30 used for training lip closure for an adult with lip closure insufficiency as described in the third embodiment, or the fork 40 used for training lip closure as described in the fourth embodiment.

[0014] <Overview of the spoon 10 according to the first embodiment> FIG. 3 is a right side view of the spoon 10 according to the first embodiment, FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the supply of food to the infant IF, and FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the lower jaw pressing portion 13. The spoon 10 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 is used, for example, when a parent, caregiver, or the like (food provider) supplies food such as soup into the oral cavity of an infant IF. The spoon 10 is also used when the infant IF himself / herself ingests food such as soup. In this case, the infant IF is both an eater and a food provider. This spoon 10 includes a handle 11 (grasping portion) grasped by a parent or the like, a scooping portion 12 provided at the tip of the handle 11 for scooping food, and a lower jaw pressing portion 13 provided below the scooping portion 12. The scooping portion 12 is substantially circular in plan view, and a recessed portion 12a for storing food is provided on its upper surface. The tip of the scooping portion 12 extends beyond the tip of the handle 11 and is inserted into the oral cavity of the infant IF from the tip side.

[0015] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, when at least the tip of the scooping portion 12 is inserted into the oral cavity of the infant IF, the lower jaw pressing portion 13 contacts and presses the front part JW of the lower jaw of the infant IF, suppressing the movement of the masseter muscle MS2. When the lower jaw pressing portion 13 presses the front part JW of the lower jaw, the contraction of the masseter muscle MS2 is suppressed. When the contraction of the masseter muscle MS2 of the infant IF is suppressed, the movement of curling the lower lip LPD into the oral cavity is restricted, and the infant IF tries to move the upper lip LPU toward the lower lip LPD by activating the facial muscles other than the masseter muscle MS2 to close the lips LP.

[0016] By repeating the above-described series of operations, the infant IF moves the upper lip LPU toward the lower lip LPD without curling the lower lip LPD into the oral cavity, and acquires the movement of closing the lips. Thus, according to the spoon 10 according to the first embodiment, the training of closing the lips can be effectively performed.

[0017] <Details of the spoon 10 according to the first embodiment> Hereinafter, the spoon 10 according to the first embodiment will be described in detail. FIG. 6 is a plan view of the spoon 10 according to the first embodiment, FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the spoon 10 according to the first embodiment, FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 6, FIG. 9 is an enlarged perspective view of the scooping portion 12, and FIG. 10 is an enlarged perspective view of the lower jaw pressing portion 13.

[0018] The spoon 10 shown in FIGS. 6 to 8 has a shape suitable for training the lip closure of an infant IF, a handle 11 held by a food provider such as a parent, a scooping portion 12 provided at the tip of the handle 11 for scooping food such as soup, and a lower jaw pressing portion 13 provided integrally with the scooping portion 12 below the scooping portion 12 and contacting and pressing the front part JW of the lower jaw of the infant IF when supplying food to the infant IF. It also includes a reinforcing portion 14 provided between the lower jaw pressing portion 13 and the handle 11. For convenience of explanation, in FIG. 8, the boundaries of the handle 11, the scooping portion 12, the lower jaw pressing portion 13, and the reinforcing portion 14 are drawn with broken lines.

[0019] The spoon 10 of this embodiment is integrally molded with resin. Therefore, the spoon 10 is easy to mass-produce. As the resin, for example, engineering plastics such as polyethylene and polypropylene, and silicone resin can be used. Note that the spoon 10 is not limited to being made of resin. For example, the spoon 10 may be made of wood, or may be made by solidifying paper fibers with resin.

[0020] The handle 11 is a long rod-shaped member along the longitudinal direction of the spoon (the longitudinal direction of the training tool), and its length is determined to be suitable for being held by an adult's hand. The middle part to the rear end part of the handle 11 is gradually widened, and the handle butt at the rear end part is formed by a curved convex surface. Also, the thickness of the handle 11 (the dimension in the height direction of the spoon 10) is substantially constant throughout the handle 11.

[0021] As shown in FIGS. 6 to 9, the spooning part 12 is substantially circular in plan view, and the width W12 of the spooning part 12 [dimension in the spoon width direction (training tool width direction)] is determined according to the average mouth size of the infant IF. Since the spooning part 12 is substantially circular in plan view, the dimension L12 in the spoon longitudinal direction in the spooning part 12 (hereinafter also referred to as the length L12 of the spooning part 12) is substantially equal to the width W12 of the spooning part 12. Note that the length L12 of the spooning part 12 may be different from the width W12 of the spooning part 12. For example, the length L12 of the spooning part 12 may be made longer than the width W12 of the spooning part 12, or may be made shorter than the width W12 of the spooning part 12.

[0022] The thickness H12 of the spooning part 12 [dimension in the spoon height direction (training tool height direction)] is determined according to the average mouth size of the infant IF, similarly to the width W12 of the spooning part 12. A recessed part 12a (concave part) for scooping food is provided on the upper surface of the spooning part 12. The recessed part 12a is formed by a shallow curved concave surface, and is configured such that the infant IF can easily ingest the soup or paste-like food stored in the recessed part 12a.

[0023] As shown in FIGS. 7 to 10, the lower jaw pressing part 13 is a substantially semi-cylindrical part protruding downward from the lower surface of the spooning part 12, and the lower end part is chamfered. In the present embodiment, the lower jaw pressing part 13 is provided at a substantially central position in the spoon width direction in the spooning part 12, and at a position closer to the rear end than the tip of the spooning part 12. The distance GP1 between the tip of the lower jaw pressing part 13 and the tip of the spooning part 12 is determined according to the insertion depth of the spooning part 12 into the oral cavity. This distance GP1 is, for example, a distance such that when the lower jaw pressing part 13 contacts the front part JW of the lower jaw of the infant IF, the spooning part 12 can be inserted into the oral cavity of the infant IF at an appropriate depth.

[0024] The height H13 of the lower jaw pressing portion 13 (dimension in the spoon height direction) is determined such that when the scooping portion 12 is inserted into the oral cavity of the infant IF, the lower end of the lower jaw pressing portion 13 is positioned below the origin portion MS2a of the masseter muscle MS2. As described above, the origin portion MS2a of the masseter muscle MS2 exists between the lower incisors on both sides of the lower jaw and the cheek, specifically, on the surface of the apical bone of the lower incisors on both sides of the lower jaw. Therefore, the height H13 of the lower jaw pressing portion 13 is determined such that when the scooping portion 12 is inserted into the oral cavity, the lower end of the lower jaw pressing portion 13 is positioned below the surface of the apical bone of the lower incisors on both sides of the lower jaw.

[0025] The width W13 of the lower jaw pressing portion 13 (dimension in the spoon width direction) shown in FIG. 7 is determined to be a width capable of suppressing the movement of the origin portion MS2a of the masseter muscle MS2 when pressing the front part JW of the lower jaw of the infant IF. As shown in FIGS. 7, 9, and 10, the surface on the tip side of the lower jaw pressing portion 13 is curved in an arc shape, but is not limited to this shape as long as the movement of the masseter muscle MS2 can be suppressed.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 8, the reinforcing portion 14 is a substantially triangular portion in side view provided between the handle 11 and the lower part of the lower jaw pressing portion 13, and is provided for the purpose of supplementing the strength of the lower jaw pressing portion 13. Since the reinforcing portion 14 is provided on the lower jaw pressing portion 13, deformation during pressing is suppressed. Note that the shape of the reinforcing portion 14 is not limited as long as it can supplement the strength of the lower jaw pressing portion 13.

[0027] <Training using the spoon 10> As shown in FIG. 4, in the training using the spoon 10, a food provider such as a parent scoops food such as soup into the scooping portion 12, and inserts the scooping portion 12 filled with food into the oral cavity of the infant IF from the tip side. At that time, until the tip surface of the lower jaw pressing part 13 contacts the front part JW of the infant IF's lower jaw, the scooping part 12 is inserted into the oral cavity of the infant IF. From this state, when the caregiver presses the spoon 10 with an appropriate force, the lower jaw pressing part 13 presses the front part JW of the infant IF's lower jaw. When the infant IF itself ingests food, the infant IF itself pulls the spoon 10 with an appropriate force. Along with this, the lower jaw pressing part 13 presses the front part JW of the lower jaw. As the starting part MS2a of the cheek muscle MS2 is also pressed along with the pressing of the front part JW of the lower jaw (see Fig. 5), the contraction of the cheek muscle MS2 is restricted. The infant IF in a state where the contraction of the cheek muscle MS2 is restricted tries to close the mouth and activates other facial muscles whose functions are not restricted.

[0028] Fig. 11(a) is a diagram for explaining the action of the lower jaw pressing part 13, and Fig. 11(b) is a diagram for explaining the action of the scooping part 12. For example, as shown in Fig. 11(a), the infant IF pulls the corners of the mouth outward to the left and right (indicated by arrow F1). Thereby, a force to close the lip LP like a drawstring bag is generated (indicated by arrow F2). It is considered that the action of closing the lip LP is mainly achieved by the coordinated contraction of the levator anguli oris muscle MS6 and the depressor anguli oris muscle MS4. By repeating this action, the infant IF can move the upper lip LPU toward the lower lip LPD without rolling the lower lip LPD into the oral cavity, and can efficiently acquire the movement of closing the lips. The infant IF who has thus acquired the lip closing force, which is said to be the first step in acquiring chewing ability, can improve the quality of the movement adjustment ability of "switching", which is a characteristic of various oral functions such as chewing and swallowing abilities and protecting speech and nasal breathing, which are the original goals of the weaning period.

[0029] Also, as shown in Fig. 11(b), when ingesting food, the infant IF catches the scooping part 12 by pulling the corners of the mouth, and wipes the food in the recessed part 12a with the upper lip LPU. By pulling and pulling the scooping part 12 obliquely upward (indicated by arrow M1), the tongue TG (the tip of the tongue TG1) tries to rise along the back side of the upper front teeth along the back shape of the scooping part 12, but the upward movement is restricted by the scooping part 12. By this series of movements, the muscle strength of the suprahyoid muscles that move the tongue TG can be enhanced, and the swallowing ability can be improved.

[0030] <Spoon 20 according to the second embodiment> The spoon 10 according to the first embodiment described above integrally molded the scooping part 12, the handle 11 (grasping part), and the mandible pressing part 13 with resin, but is not limited to this configuration. FIG. 12(a) is a right side view for explaining the spoon 20 according to the second embodiment, and FIG. 12(b) is a bottom view for explaining the spoon 20 according to the second embodiment.

[0031] In the spoon 20 according to the second embodiment, the mandible pressing part 23 is provided integrally with the scooping part 22, and the handle 21 is constituted by a member different from these scooping part 22 and mandible pressing part 23. The tip of the handle 21 is coupled to the rear end of the mandible pressing part 23. To couple the two, a coupling projection 21a is provided at the tip of the handle 21, and a coupling recess 23a into which the coupling projection 21a is fitted is provided at the rear end of the mandible pressing part 23.

[0032] In this embodiment, the scooping part 22, the mandible pressing part 23, and the handle 21 are all made of resin, but the scooping part 22 and the mandible pressing part 23 and the handle 21 may be made of different resins. The spoon 20 according to this second embodiment has the characteristic of high design freedom. For example, by making the outer peripheral surface of the handle 21 with a flexible resin and making the scooping part 22 and the mandible pressing part 23 with a harder resin than the handle 21, the handle 21 can be made easier to hold, and for the scooping part 22 and the mandible pressing part 23, the pressing force can be increased.

[0033] Also, in the spoon 20 according to the second embodiment, the length L22 of the scooping part 22 in the longitudinal direction of the spoon is longer than the length W22 in the width direction of the spoon (the length in the intersecting direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the spoon). With this configuration, the scooping part 22 can be easily inserted into the inner back side of the oral cavity. In addition, in the spoon 20 according to the second embodiment, a gap is provided between the lower surface of the scooping portion 22 and the upper surface of the lower jaw pressing portion 23, and the surface on the tip side of the lower jaw pressing portion 23 is a square plane (a square surface extending in the vertical, horizontal, and left - right directions). The lower jaw pressing portion 23 can also press portions other than the starting portion MS2a in the jaw muscle MS2. The spoon 20 according to the second embodiment also has the same operational effects as the spoon 10 according to the first embodiment.

[0034] <Spoon 30 according to the third embodiment> Both the spoon 10 according to the first embodiment and the spoon 20 according to the second embodiment described above were for supplying food to infants with IF, but they are not limited to this configuration. FIG. 13 is a perspective view for explaining the spoon 30 according to the third embodiment. The spoon 30 according to the third embodiment is used for lip - closure training for adults with incomplete lip closure. In this case, the user of the spoon 10 is both the feeder and the eater.

[0035] The spoon 30 according to the third embodiment shown in FIG. 13 is made of metal. In this spoon 30, by bending a narrow strip - shaped steel material, the lower jaw pressing portion 33, the handle 31, and the joining piece portion 34 are integrally provided. And an elliptical - dish - shaped scooping portion 32 is separately manufactured in plan view, and the lower surface of the scooping portion 32 is joined to the upper surface of the joining piece portion 34 by welding or the like. Since the spoon 30 according to the third embodiment is for adults, each part (handle 31, scooping portion 32, lower jaw pressing portion 33) is manufactured in dimensions suitable for adult use. The spoon 30 according to the third embodiment also has the same operational effects as the spoon 10 according to the first embodiment and the spoon 20 according to the second embodiment. Also, similar to the spoon 20 according to the second embodiment, the degree of freedom in design can be increased.

[0036] <Fork 40 according to the fourth embodiment> In each of the above-described embodiments, the spoons 10, 20, and 30 are exemplified as training tools. However, the training tool is not limited to a spoon and may be, for example, a fork. FIG. 14(a) is a bottom view of the fork 40 according to the fourth embodiment, and FIG. 14(b) is a right side view of the fork 40 according to the fourth embodiment.

[0037] As shown in FIGS. 14(a) and 14(b), the fork 40 includes a handle 41 that is grasped by a food provider of a certain kinship, a comb-shaped portion 42 provided at the tip of the handle 41 and having comb teeth 42a, and a lower jaw pressing portion 43 that is provided integrally with the comb-shaped portion 42 below the comb-shaped portion 42 and contacts and presses the front part JW of the lower jaw of the infant IF when feeding food to the infant IF. The fork 40 also includes a reinforcing portion 44 provided between the lower jaw pressing portion 43 and the handle 41. The fork 40 can be manufactured, for example, by integrally molding with resin, but it may also be made of wood or by solidifying paper fibers with resin. In the fork 40, the handle 41, the lower jaw pressing portion 43, and the reinforcing portion 44 have the same configuration as the handle 11, the lower jaw pressing portion 13, and the reinforcing portion 14 provided in the spoon 10 according to the first embodiment. Although the description is omitted to avoid duplication, with this fork 40 as well as the spoon 10, by pressing the lower jaw pressing portion 43 against the front part JW of the lower jaw, the movement of closing the lips can be efficiently acquired.

[0038] The comb teeth 42a provided in the comb-shaped portion 42 are portions for placing food or piercing food, and its length L42 [the length in the longitudinal direction of the fork (the longitudinal direction of the training tool)] is longer than the width W42 [the length in the width direction of the fork (the intersecting direction)]. Therefore, the comb-shaped portion 42 can be easily inserted into the oral cavity. And, as described with reference to FIG. 11(b) for the spoon 10, the swallowing ability can also be enhanced with this fork 40.

[0039] <Other Modification Examples> In the spoons 10, 20, and 30 according to the above-described embodiments, the example in which the lower jaw pressing portions 13, 23, and 33 press the origin MS2a of the masseter muscle MS2 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. As long as the lower jaw pressing portions 13, 23, and 33 can suppress the movement of the masseter muscle MS2, they may be configured to press a portion other than the origin MS2a. In the spoons 10, 20, and 30 according to the above-described embodiments, the handles 11, 21, and 31 are not limited to the illustrated shapes as long as they are shaped such that a food provider can grip them.

[0040] [Summary of Embodiment Examples, Operations, and Effects of the Present Invention] <First Embodiment> This aspect is a training tool (spoons 10, 20, 30, and fork 40) used when a food provider supplies food into the oral cavity of a feeder (such as an infant or an adult with incomplete lip closure) for the purpose of performing lip closure training, including a gripping portion (handles 11, 21, 31, 41) that a food provider grips, a food supply portion (scooping portions 12, 22, 32, and comb-shaped portion 42) that extends forward from the tip of the gripping portion, and a lower jaw pressing portion (lower jaw pressing portions 13, 23, 33, 43) that is provided below the food supply portion and contacts and presses the front part of the lower jaw (front part JW of the lower jaw) of the feeder when at least the tip of the food supply portion is inserted into the oral cavity of the feeder, thereby suppressing the movement of the masseter muscle (masseter muscle MS2) of the feeder. According to the lip closure training tool according to this aspect, a feeder whose masseter muscle movement is suppressed by the lower jaw pressing portion has its movement of curling the lower lip (lower lip LPD) toward the oral cavity restricted by the suppression of the contraction of the masseter muscle, and tries to move the upper lip (upper lip LPU) toward the lower lip by activating facial muscles other than the masseter muscle to close the lips (lips LP). By repeating this operation, the feeder can move the upper lip toward the lower lip without curling the lower lip toward the oral cavity and can acquire the lip closure movement.

[0041] <Second Embodiment> In the lip closure training tool according to this aspect, the lower jaw pressing portion is characterized by pressing the origin (origin MS2a) of the masseter muscle. According to the lip closure training device according to this aspect, since the lower jaw pressing part presses the origin of the cheek muscle, the movement of the cheek muscle can be effectively suppressed.

[0042] <Third Embodiment> In the lip closure training device according to this aspect, the food supply part is characterized in that when at least the front part of the food supply part is inserted into the oral cavity of the eater, the upward movement of the eater's tongue is restricted. According to the lip closure training device according to this aspect, when the upward movement of the tongue (tongue TG) is restricted by the food supply part, the suprahyoid muscle group that moves the tongue tries to move the entire tongue upward, and the muscle strength of the suprahyoid muscle group is increased. As a result, the swallowing ability can be enhanced.

[0043] <Fourth Embodiment> In the lip closure training device according to this aspect, the food supply part is a scooping part (scooping part 12) having a recessed part (recessed part 12a) for storing food. According to the lip closure training device according to this aspect, the movement of lip closure can be acquired in the process of eating soup or the like.

[0044] <Fifth Embodiment> In the lip closure training device according to this aspect, the food supply part is a comb-tooth-shaped part (comb-tooth-shaped part 42) having comb teeth (comb teeth 42a). According to the lip closure training device according to this aspect, the movement of lip closure can be acquired in the process of eating food using the comb teeth.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0045] 10…Spoon according to the first embodiment, 11…Handle, 12…Scooping part, 12a…Depressed part, W12…Width of the scooping part, L12…Length of the scooping part, H12…Thickness of the scooping part, 13…Lower jaw pressing part, W13…Width of the lower jaw pressing part, H13…Height of the lower jaw pressing part, 14…Reinforcing part, GP1…Distance between the tip of the lower jaw pressing part and the tip of the scooping part, 20…Spoon according to the second embodiment, 21…Handle, 21a…Engaging projection, 22…Scooping part, W22…Width of the scooping part, L22…Length of the scooping part, 23…Lower jaw pressing part, 23a…Engaging recess, 30…Spoon according to the third embodiment, 31…Handle, 32…Scooping part, 33…Lower jaw pressing part, 34…Joint piece part, 40…Fork according to the fourth embodiment, 41…Handle, 42…Comb-tooth-shaped part, 42a…Comb tooth, 43…Lower jaw pressing part, 44…Reinforcing part, IF…Infant, LP…Lips, LPU…Upper lip, LPD…Lower lip, JW…Anterior part of the lower jaw, MS1…Orbicularis oris muscle, MS2…Masseter muscle, MS2a…Origin of the masseter muscle, MS3…Inferior depressor labii muscle, MS4…Depressor anguli oris muscle, MS5…Levator labii superioris muscle, MS6…Levator anguli oris muscle, TG…Tongue, TG1…Tip of the tongue

Claims

Claim 1 A training device used when a food provider supplies food into the oral cavity of a food consumer, and for performing lip closure training, comprising: a gripping portion gripped by the food provider; a food supply portion extending forward from the tip of the gripping portion; a lower jaw pressing portion provided below the food supply portion, which contacts and presses the front part of the lower jaw of the food consumer when at least the tip of the food supply portion is inserted into the oral cavity of the food consumer, and suppresses the movement of the masseter muscle of the food consumer; A lip closure training device, characterized by comprising the above components. Claim 2 The lip closure training device according to claim 1, wherein the lower jaw pressing portion presses the origin of the masseter muscle. Claim 3 The lip closure training device according to claim 1, wherein the food supply portion restricts the upward movement of the tongue of the food consumer when at least the tip of the food supply portion is inserted into the oral cavity of the food consumer. Claim 4 The lip closure training device according to claim 1, wherein the food supply portion is a scooping portion provided with a recess for storing the food. Claim 5 The lip closure training device according to claim 1, wherein the food supply portion is a comb-shaped portion provided with comb teeth.

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