Leak proof nipple having two to six milk / liquid outlets for infants and babies

Abstract

A nipple according to the present invention is suitable for an actual use as a leak proof nipple for an infant or a baby having two to six passages or more for flowing of milk / liquid each having a shape of a slit penetrating through a top end of the nipple (5) configured as a C-shaped line and functioning as a valve for regulating the flow of milk / liquid in response to suction force of an infant or a baby. As a result, milk / liquid can be continuously, smoothly sucked for a long period of time similarly to breastfeeding since multiple outlets for milk are provided and milk will flow only when suction force from an infant or a baby is exerted. Accordingly, the chance that the infant chokes is minimized.

Description

[0001] LEAK PROOF NIPPLE HAVING TWO TO SIX MILK / LIQUID OUTLETS FOR INFANTS AND

[0002] BABIES

[0003] Summary of the invention

[0004] A nipple in accordance with the present invention is designed to allow an infant or a baby to control suction of milk / liquid from the nipple in the same way as breastfeeding, in which breast milk will flow only when a suction force is exerted by an infant or a baby and the flow will stop when the suction force is no longer exerted by the infant, in order to minimize the chance that the infant will choke.

[0005] Field of the invention

[0006] The present invention relates to a nipple for infants or babies.

[0007] Background of the invention

[0008] A nipple is a basic facilitating apparatus necessary for milk / liquid suction by an infant or a baby. Generally, the size of a nipple’s circular hole is defined according to its milk flow rate per minute. It is represented by a small or S size circular hole for newborn to three-month-old infants, an intermediate or M size for four to six months old infants, and a large or L size for seven months old infants and older. Otherwise, the number of a nipple’s circular holes can be increased to obtain the required flow rate. For example, one circular hole is equivalent to the S size, two circular holes are equivalent to the M size, three circular holes are equivalent to the L size, and four circular holes are equivalent to XL size. In this regard, nipples with circular holes have been developed and researches on which have been conducted for their convenience or practicality. However, studies and experiments on actual usages of conventional nipples have revealed issues or disadvantages i.e., cylindrical, circular holes through which an infant or a baby’s suction of milk is made does not deform when milk / liquid is sucked through them. Therefore, milk / liquid can always flow so that the infant has a high chance to choke. Accordingly, a preferable improvement to a novel nipple design for suppressing the flow of milk / liquid when suction force from an infant is no longer present is a leak-proof configuration. Therefore, the present inventors have improved nipple holes to be able to control the flow of milk / liquid with a design that allows the passages to open when suction is made by an infant and to close when the infant’s suction with the infant’s suction force stops similarly to breastfeeding.

[0009] Description of the Invention

[0010] To be suitable for milk suction of an infant or a baby, the present inventors have improved the holes for milk / liquid such that the milk / liquid flows from the nipple’s tip when suction is made by an infant. To solve the issues mentioned in the “Background of the Related Arts,” the top end of the nipple is reinvented to have “C” shapes, as seen from the top view, formed by cutting the nipple’s top end to form slits functioning as valves. These slits close automatically when the infant or baby stops sucking. Milk / liquid can be continuously, smoothly sucked for a long period of time with less chance of choking. Two to six passages through which milk / liquid can flow are provided. The important feature of the passages is the ability to open when suction is made by an infant and close automatically when the infant stops sucking.

[0011] Description accompanying drawings are an example of the leak proof nipple with two milk / liquid outlets for showing different views as follows:

[0012] Figure 1 shows a top view of the nipple for an infant or a baby having two to six passages for flowing of milk / liquid out of a nipple end (5) according to the present invention illustrating the positions of the flow passages of the nipple.

[0013] Figure 2 shows a side view of the nipple for an infant or a baby having two to six passages for flowing of milk / liquid according to the present invention illustrating the structure of the nipple connecting a nipple base (1), a nipple body wall (2), and a nipple head wall (3) as the position of a channel for milk / liquid to flow out at a nipple head (4) with four or more passages similarly to breastfeeding.

[0014] Figure 3 shows a bottom view showing the inside of the nipple for an infant or a baby having two to six passages for flowing of milk / liquid according to the present invention illustrating the configuration of the passages of milk / liquid flowing through the nipple consisting of passages (6) for flowing of milk / liquid outward through C-shaped lines configured to regulate the flow of milk / liquid to be continuous and responsive to the suction force of an infant or a baby. Figure 4 shows a side view of the nipple for an infant or a baby having two to six passages for flowing of milk / liquid according to the present invention illustrating the configuration of the passages of milk / liquid flowing through the nipple consisting of the C-shaped lines at an end (5) on the top of the nipple and the underside (6) of the nipple configured to regulate the flow of milk / liquid to be continuous and responsive to the suction force of an infant or a baby.

[0015] Figure 5 shows a perspective view from the above of the nipple for an infant or a baby having two to six passages for flowing of milk / liquid according to the present invention illustrating an arrangement of the passages of milk / liquid flowing through the nipple consisting of the C-shaped lines (5) configured to regulate the flow of milk / liquid to be continuous and responsive to the suction force of an infant or a baby.

[0016] Figure 6 shows a perspective cross-sectional view from the above of the nipple for an infant or a baby having two to six passages for flowing of milk / liquid in C-shaped lines according to the present invention illustrating the configuration of the passages of milk / liquid flowing through the nipple in a direction from the underside (6) of the nipple toward the top end (5) of the nipple configured to regulate the flow of milk / liquid to be continuous and responsive to the suction force of an infant or a baby.

[0017] Brief description of the drawings

[0018] Figure 1 shows the top view of the nipple for an infant or a baby having two to six passages for flowing of milk / liquid out of the nipple end (5) according to the present invention.

[0019] Figure 2 shows the side view of the nipple for an infant or a baby having two to six passages for flowing of milk / liquid according to the present invention.

[0020] Figure 3 shows the bottom view showing the inside of the nipple for an infant or a baby having two to six passages for flowing of milk / liquid according to the present invention.

[0021] Figure 4 shows the side view of the nipple for an infant or a baby having two to six passages for flowing of milk / liquid according to the present invention.

[0022] Figure 5 shows the perspective view from the above of the nipple for an infant or a baby having two to six passages for flowing of milk / liquid according to the present invention.

[0023] Figure 6 shows the perspective cross-sectional view from the above of the nipple for an infant or a baby having two to six passages in C-shaped lines according to the present invention. Best mode of the invention

[0024] It is as disclosed in the description of the invention.

Claims

Claims1. A leak proof nipple having two to six milk / liquid outlets for infants and babies wherein each passage is configured as a valve located at a top end of a nipple head (4) having a shape of a slit cutting through the material on top of the nipple (5) to a nipple lower surface (6); the slits being configured as C-shaped lines and functioning as valves for regulating the flow of milk / liquid; wherein the slits open to allow milk / liquid to flow through when suction is made by an infant and close completely when the suction stops, characterized in that the surface of the top end of the nipple head (4) is pierced through to form two to six milk / liquid outlets wherein pierced positions each has a shape of a slit cutting through the material on top of the nipple (5) to the nipple lower surface (6); the slits being configured as C-shaped lines and functioning as valves capable of closing and opening for regulating the flow of milk / liquid; wherein the slits open to allow milk / liquid to flow through when suction is made by an infant and close completely when the suction stops.

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