Lip closure training instrument

Abstract

Provided is a training instrument that is suited to lip closure training. A spoon 10: is a training instrument that is to be used when a parent or the like (a food supplier) supplies food into the oral cavity of an infant IF or the like (a food eater) to perform lip closure training; and is characterized by comprising a handle 11 (a grasping part) that is grasped by the parent or the like, a scoop part 12 (a food supply part) that extends forward from the tip of the handle 1, and a lower jaw pressing part 13 that is provided below the scoop part 12 and, when at least the tip of the scoop part 12 has been inserted into the oral cavity of the infant IF or the like, contacts and presses the front JW of the lower jaw of the infant IF or the like to suppress movement of the mentalis muscle MS2.

Description

Lip-closing training device

[0001] The present invention relates to a lip-sealing exerciser.

[0002] Humans, as mammals, breastfeed by pressing their lips (upper and lower) against the breast and fixing the nipple with their tongue, but when they enter the weaning period, they eat and swallow by keeping the upper lip in place and tucking the lower lip into the oral cavity. If the lower lip is tuckered into the oral cavity when eating, it becomes difficult to lower the upper lip toward the lower lip, making it difficult to close the lips. For this reason, during the weaning period, it is desirable to train the child to close the upper and lower lips.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a spoon for training infants from the nursing stage to the weaning stage to eat solid or semi-solid foods. The spoon is equipped with a positioning means for holding the bowl (scooping part) in an appropriate position when inserting the bowl part into the infant's mouth. According to the spoon of Patent Document 1, the positioning means allows the bowl part to be inserted into the mouth at an appropriate insertion depth.

[0004] Furthermore, even in adults, incomplete lip closure (so-called gaping mouth) can lead to problems such as mouth breathing becoming a habit and dryness of the oral cavity, so lip closure training is recommended.

[0005] Patent No. 3877407

[0006] The spoon in Patent Document 1 allows the insertion length of the bowl to be adjusted appropriately, but it cannot prevent the lower lip from being drawn into the oral cavity. Furthermore, when the lower lip is drawn into the oral cavity, it becomes difficult to lower the upper lip toward the lower lip, making it difficult to achieve lip closure. The present invention was made in light of these circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a training tool suitable for lip closure training.

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a training device for lip closure training, which is used when a food supplier supplies food into the mouth of a eater, and is characterized by comprising: a holding portion held by the food supplier; a food supply portion extending forward from the tip of the holding portion; and a mandibular pressing portion provided below the food supply portion that contacts and presses against the front of the eater's mandible when at least the tip of the food supply portion is inserted into the mouth of the eater, thereby suppressing movement of the eater's mentalis muscle.

[0008] According to the present invention, a training tool suitable for training lip closure can be provided.

[0009] 6 is a diagram showing some of the facial muscles of an infant. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a spoon according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a right side view of a spoon according to the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram explaining feeding food to an infant. FIG. 9 is an enlarged view explaining the operation of the lower jaw pressing portion. FIG. 10 is a plan view of a spoon according to the first embodiment. FIG. 11 is a bottom view of a spoon according to the first embodiment. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 10. FIG. 13 is an enlarged perspective view of a scooping portion. FIG. 14 is an enlarged perspective view of a lower jaw pressing portion. (a) is a diagram explaining the operation of the lower jaw pressing portion, and (b) is a diagram explaining the operation of the scooping portion. (a) is a right side view of a spoon according to a second embodiment, and (b) is a bottom view of a spoon according to the second embodiment. FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a spoon according to a third embodiment. (a) is a bottom view of a fork according to a fourth embodiment, and (b) is a right side view of a fork according to the fourth embodiment.

[0010] <How the Invention Was Completed> First, the inventor will explain how the invention was completed. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a portion of the facial muscles of an infant IF, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a spoon 10 (training tool) according to a first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the orbicularis oris muscle MS1 is present around the upper lip LPU and lower lip LPD of the infant IF (eating person). The orbicularis oris muscle MS1 is a muscle that, for example, functions to point the lip LP forward. The mentalis muscle MS2 is present in the left-right center of the lower lip LPD, below the orbicularis oris muscle MS1. The mentalis muscle MS2 has the function of lifting the lower lip LPD by contracting, and also contracts when the lower lip LPD is drawn into the oral cavity. The origin MS2a of the mentalis muscle MS2 is present between the mandibular bilateral incisors and the chin, specifically on the surface of the apical bone of the mandibular bilateral incisors.

[0011] The depressor labii inferioris muscle MS3 is located on both the left and right sides of the mentalis muscle MS2. The depressor labii inferioris muscle MS3 is a muscle that pulls the lower lip LPD diagonally downward on both the left and right sides. The depressor labii inferioris muscle MS4 is located on both the left and right sides of the depressor labii inferioris muscle MS3. The depressor labii inferioris muscle MS4 is a muscle that pulls the upper lip LPU and the corners of the mouth downward. Meanwhile, the levator labii superioris muscle MS5 and the levator anguli oris muscle MS6 are located on the side of the upper lip LPU. The levator labii superioris muscle MS5 originates directly below the inferior margin of the orbit and inserts on the upper lip LPU and part of the ala of the nose. The levator labii superioris muscle MS5 is a muscle that mainly functions to elevate the upper lip LPU. The levator anguli oris muscle MS6 originates from the canine fossa on the anterior surface of the maxilla and inserts on the corners of the mouth and the muscles of the upper lip LPU. The levator anguli oris muscle MS6 is a muscle that pulls the upper lip LPU and corners of the mouth upward.

[0012] The inventors conducted extensive research into lip-closing training and, noting that pressing the mentalis muscle MS2 (particularly the origin MS2a) inhibits contraction of the mentalis muscle MS2 and limits the movement of the lower lip LPD toward the oral cavity, came up with the idea of ​​a spoon 10 having a mandibular pressure unit 13 below the scooping unit 12 (food supply unit) as shown in Figure 2. By using this spoon 10, when the scooping unit 12 is inserted into the oral cavity of an infant IF, the mandibular pressure unit 13 presses the anterior mandible JW of the infant IF, suppressing the movement of the mentalis muscle MS2 and limiting the movement of the lower lip LPD. The inventors believed that an infant IF with restricted movement of the lower lip LPD could efficiently learn the movement of closing the lips by activating facial muscles other than the mentalis muscle MS2 to move the upper lip LPU toward the lower lip LPD, which led to the completion of this invention.

[0013] <Regarding Embodiments of the Present Invention> Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. However, unless otherwise specified, the components, types, combinations, shapes, relative positions, and the like described in each embodiment are merely illustrative examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. For example, in the first embodiment, a spoon 10 used for lip-closing training for infants with IF is described, but the training tool of the present invention is not limited to the spoon 10 for infants with IF. The training tool of the present invention may be, for example, a spoon 30 used for lip-closing training for adults with lip insufficiency, as described in the third embodiment, or a fork 40 used for lip-closing training, as described in the fourth embodiment.

[0014] <Overview of Spoon 10 According to First Embodiment> Fig. 3 is a right side view of the spoon 10 according to the first embodiment, Fig. 4 is a diagram illustrating the feeding of food to an infant IF, and Fig. 5 is a diagram illustrating the action of the mandibular pressure member 13. The spoon 10 shown in Figs. 2 and 3 is used, for example, when a parent or caregiver (food provider) feeds food such as soup into the oral cavity of an infant IF. The spoon 10 is also used when the infant IF eats food such as soup. In this case, the infant IF is both the eater and the food provider. The spoon 10 includes a handle 11 (handle) that is held by a parent or caregiver, a scooping member 12 provided at the tip of the handle 11 for scooping food, and a mandibular pressure member 13 provided below the scooping member 12. The scooping member 12 has a generally circular shape in a plan view, and a recess 12a is provided on its upper surface for collecting food. The tip of the scooping part 12 extends further forward than the tip of the handle 11, and is inserted into the oral cavity of the infant IF from the tip side.

[0015] 4 and 5, when at least the tip of the scooping part 12 is inserted into the oral cavity of the infant IF, the mandibular pressure part 13 comes into contact with and presses against the anterior mandibular part JW of the infant IF, suppressing movement of the mentalis muscle MS2. When the anterior mandibular part JW is pressed by the mandibular pressure part 13, contraction of the mentalis muscle MS2 is suppressed. As contraction of the mentalis muscle MS2 is suppressed, the infant IF is restricted from rolling the lower lip LPD into the oral cavity, and attempts to move the upper lip LPU toward the lower lip LPD by activating facial muscles other than the mentalis muscle MS2 in order to close the lip LP.

[0016] By repeating the above-described series of actions, the infant IF learns to move the upper lip LPU toward the lower lip LPD without drawing the lower lip LPD into the oral cavity, thereby mastering the movement of closing the lips. In this way, the spoon 10 according to the first embodiment allows for effective training in lip closing.

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

[0018] 6 to 8 has a shape suitable for training an infant IF to close its lips, and includes a handle 11 to be held by a parent or other food provider, a scooping portion 12 provided at the tip of the handle 11 for scooping food such as soup, a lower jaw pressing portion 13 provided integrally with the scooping portion 12 below the scooping portion 12 for contacting and pressing against the front of the lower jaw JW of the infant IF when feeding food to the infant IF, and a reinforcing portion 14 provided between the lower jaw pressing portion 13 and the handle 11. For ease of explanation, the boundaries between the handle 11, scooping portion 12, lower jaw pressing portion 13, and reinforcing portion 14 are drawn with dashed lines in FIG.

[0019] The spoon 10 of this embodiment is integrally formed from resin. This allows for easy mass production of the spoon 10. Examples of resin that can be used include engineering plastics such as polyethylene and polypropylene, and silicone resin. However, the spoon 10 is not limited to being made from resin. For example, the spoon 10 may be made from wood, or by solidifying paper fibers with resin.

[0020] The handle 11 is a rod-shaped member that is long along the spoon's length (the training tool's length), and its length is set to be suitable for holding in an adult's hand. The handle 11 gradually widens from its middle to its rear end, and the rear end (the handle butt) is curved and convex. The thickness of the handle 11 (the height of the spoon 10) is approximately constant throughout the entire handle 11.

[0021] 6 to 9 , the scooping portion 12 has a generally circular shape in plan view, and the width W12 of the scooping portion 12 [dimension in the spoon width direction (training tool width direction)] is determined to fit the average mouth size of infants IF. Because the scooping portion 12 has a generally circular shape in plan view, the dimension L12 of the scooping portion 12 in the spoon longitudinal direction (hereinafter also referred to as the length L12 of the scooping portion 12) is generally equal to the width W12 of the scooping portion 12. Note that the length L12 of the scooping portion 12 may be different from the width W12 of the scooping portion 12. For example, the length L12 of the scooping portion 12 may be longer or shorter than the width W12 of the scooping portion 12.

[0022] The thickness H12 of the scooping portion 12 [the dimension in the spoon height direction (training tool height direction)] is determined to fit the average mouth size of an infant IF, as is the width W12 of the scooping portion 12. A depression 12a (recess) for scooping food is provided on the top surface of the scooping portion 12. The depression 12a is formed by a shallow, curved concave surface, and is configured so that the infant IF can comfortably eat soup or paste-like food stored in the depression 12a.

[0023] 7 to 10 , the lower jaw pressing portion 13 is a generally semi-cylindrical portion that protrudes downward from the underside of the scooping portion 12, and its lower end portion is rounded. In this embodiment, the lower jaw pressing portion 13 is located approximately in the center of the scooping portion 12 in the spoon width direction, closer to the rear end than the tip of the scooping portion 12. The distance GP1 between the tip of the lower jaw pressing portion 13 and the tip of the scooping portion 12 is determined according to the insertion depth of the scooping portion 12 into the oral cavity. This distance GP1 is set to a distance that allows the scooping portion 12 to be inserted to an appropriate depth into the oral cavity of the infant IF, for example, when the lower jaw pressing portion 13 contacts the anterior part of the mandible JW of the infant IF.

[0024] The height H13 (dimension in the spoon height direction) of the mandibular presser 13 is determined so that, when the scooping part 12 is inserted into the oral cavity of an infant IF, the lower end of the mandibular presser 13 is located below the origin MS2a of the mentalis muscle MS2. As described above, the origin MS2a of the mentalis muscle MS2 is located between the mandibular bilateral incisors and the chin, specifically on the surface of the apical bone of the mandibular bilateral incisors. Therefore, the height H13 of the mandibular presser 13 is determined so that, when the scooping part 12 is inserted into the oral cavity, the lower end of the mandibular presser 13 is located below the surface of the apical bone of the mandibular bilateral incisors.

[0025] The width W13 (dimension in the spoon width direction) of the mandibular pressing portion 13 shown in Fig. 7 is determined to be a width that can suppress movement of the origin MS2a of the mentalis muscle MS2 when pressing the anterior mandible JW of the infant IF. As shown in Figs. 7, 9, and 10, the surface on the tip side of the mandibular pressing portion 13 is curved in an arc shape, but is not limited to this shape as long as it can suppress movement of the mentalis muscle MS2.

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

[0027] <Regarding Training Using the Spoon 10> As shown in Figure 4, in training using the spoon 10, a parent or other food provider scoops food such as soup into the scooping portion 12 and inserts the scooping portion 12 with the food scooped into the infant's mouth from the tip side. At this time, the parent or other person inserts the scooping portion 12 into the infant's mouth until the tip surface of the mandibular pressure portion 13 contacts the infant's anterior mandibular part JW. From this state, when the parent or other person presses the spoon 10 with an appropriate force, the mandibular pressure portion 13 presses the infant's anterior mandibular part JW. When the infant IF eats food by itself, the infant IF pulls the spoon 10 toward itself with an appropriate force. Accordingly, the mandibular pressure portion 13 presses the infant's anterior mandibular part JW. As the anterior part of the mandible JW is pressed, the origin MS2a of the mentalis muscle MS2 is also pressed (see Figure 5), restricting the contraction of the mentalis muscle MS2. Infant IF, whose contraction of the mentalis muscle MS2 is restricted, will activate other facial muscles whose function is not restricted in an attempt to close their mouth.

[0028] Figure 11(a) illustrates the function of the mandibular pressure unit 13, and Figure 11(b) illustrates the function of the scooping unit 12. For example, as shown in Figure 11(a), the infant IF pulls the corners of the mouth outward to the left and right (indicated by arrow F1). This generates a force that closes the lips LP like a purse (indicated by arrow F2). It is believed that the coordinated contraction of the levator anguli oris (MS6) and depressor anguli oris (MS4) plays a major role in the lip LP closing movement. By repeatedly performing this movement, the infant IF is able to move the upper lip LPU toward the lower lip LPD without drawing the lower lip LPD into the oral cavity, thereby efficiently mastering the lip-closing movement. In this way, the infant IF, having acquired lip-closing ability, which is considered the first step in acquiring masticatory ability, can improve the quality of the motor coordination ability for "switching," a characteristic of various oral functions such as chewing and swallowing ability, speech, and nasal breathing, which are the original goals of the weaning period.

[0029] 11(b), when eating, the infant IF grasps the scooping part 12 by pulling back the corners of his or her mouth and wipes away food from the cavity 12a with the upper lip LPU. By pulling the scooping part 12 diagonally upward (indicated by arrow M1), the tongue TG (tongue tip TG1) attempts to move up behind the upper front teeth along the back surface of the scooping part 12, but this upward movement is restricted by the scooping part 12. This series of movements increases the strength of the suprahyoid muscles that move the tongue TG, improving swallowing ability.

[0030] <Spoon 20 according to the second embodiment> In the spoon 10 according to the first embodiment described above, the scooping portion 12, the handle 11 (grip portion), and the lower jaw pressing portion 13 are integrally molded from resin, but this configuration is not limiting. Fig. 12(a) is a right side view illustrating the spoon 20 according to the second embodiment, and Fig. 12(b) is a bottom view illustrating the spoon 20 according to the second embodiment.

[0031] In spoon 20 according to the second embodiment, lower jaw pressing portion 23 is provided integrally with scooping portion 22, and handle 21 is formed from a separate member from scooping portion 22 and lower jaw pressing portion 23. The tip of handle 21 is connected to the rear end of lower jaw pressing portion 23. To connect the two, a connecting protrusion 21a is provided at the tip of handle 21, and a connecting recess 23a is provided at the rear end of lower jaw pressing portion 23, into which connecting protrusion 21a fits.

[0032] In this embodiment, the scooping portion 22, the lower jaw pressing portion 23, and the handle 21 are all made of resin, but the scooping portion 22 and the lower jaw pressing portion 23 may be made of different resins from the handle 21. The spoon 20 according to this second embodiment is characterized by a high degree of freedom in design. For example, by making the outer surface of the handle 21 from a flexible resin and making the scooping portion 22 and the lower jaw pressing portion 23 from a harder resin than the handle 21, the handle 21 can be made easier to hold and the pressing force of the scooping portion 22 and the lower jaw pressing portion 23 can be increased.

[0033] Furthermore, in the spoon 20 according to the second embodiment, the length L22 of the scooping portion 22 in the spoon's longitudinal direction is longer than the length W22 of the scooping portion in the spoon's width direction (the length in the direction intersecting the spoon's longitudinal direction). This configuration allows the scooping portion 22 to be easily inserted deep inside the oral cavity. Additionally, in the spoon 20 according to the second embodiment, a gap is provided between the underside of the scooping portion 22 and the upper side of the mandibular pressing portion 23, and the distal surface of the mandibular pressing portion 23 is a rectangular flat surface (a rectangular surface extending in the vertical and horizontal directions). The mandibular pressing portion 23 can press portions of the mentalis muscle MS2 other than the origin MS2a. The spoon 20 according to the second embodiment also achieves the same effects as the spoon 10 according to the first embodiment.

[0034] <Spoon 30 according to a third embodiment> The spoon 10 according to the first embodiment and the spoon 20 according to the second embodiment described above are both used to feed food to infants IF, but are not limited to this configuration. Fig. 13 is a perspective view illustrating the spoon 30 according to a third embodiment. The spoon 30 according to the third embodiment is used to train adults with lip closure disorder to close their lips. In this case, the user of the spoon 10 is both the eater and the food provider.

[0035] The spoon 30 according to the third embodiment, shown in FIG. 13 , is made of metal. In this spoon 30, the mandible pressure portion 33, handle 31, and connecting piece 34 are integrally formed by bending a narrow steel strip. The scooping portion 32, which is oval-shaped in plan view, is separately manufactured, and the underside of the scooping portion 32 is joined to the upper surface of the connecting piece 34 by welding or other means. Because the spoon 30 according to the third embodiment is designed for adults, each component (the handle 31, scooping portion 32, and mandible pressure portion 33) is manufactured to dimensions suitable for adult use. The spoon 30 according to the third embodiment also achieves the same effects as the spoon 10 according to the first embodiment and the spoon 20 according to the second embodiment. Furthermore, like the spoon 20 according to the second embodiment, the spoon 30 allows for increased design flexibility.

[0036] <Fork 40 according to the fourth embodiment> In the above-described embodiments, spoons 10, 20, and 30 have been used as examples of training tools, but the training tool is not limited to spoons 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] 14( a) and 14(b), the fork 40 includes a handle 41 to be held by a parent or other person who provides food; a comb-like portion 42 provided at the tip of the handle 41 and having comb teeth 42a; a mandible pressing portion 43 provided integrally with the comb-like portion 42 below the comb-like portion 42 to contact and press against the front mandible JW of the infant IF when feeding food to the infant IF; and a reinforcing portion 44 provided between the mandible pressing portion 43 and the handle 41. The fork 40 can be made by integral molding using resin, for example, but it may also be made from wood or by solidifying paper fibers with resin. The handle 41, mandible pressing portion 43, and reinforcing portion 44 of the fork 40 have the same configurations as the handle 11, mandible pressing portion 13, and reinforcing portion 14 of the spoon 10 according to the first embodiment. Although a redundant explanation will be omitted, in the same way as the spoon 10, the fork 40 also allows the user to efficiently learn the movement of closing the lips by having the lower jaw pressing portion 43 press against the front part of the lower jaw JW.

[0038] The teeth 42a of the comb-like portion 42 are used to place food on or pierce food, and their length L42 (the length in the longitudinal direction of the fork (longitudinal direction of the training tool)) is longer than their width W42 (the length in the transverse direction of the fork (crosswise direction)). This makes it easy to insert the comb-like portion 42 into the mouth. As explained with reference to Figure 11(b) for the spoon 10, this fork 40 can also improve swallowing ability.

[0039] <Other Modifications> In the spoons 10, 20, and 30 according to the above-described embodiments, examples have been described in which the mandibular pressing portions 13, 23, and 33 press against the origin MS2a of the mentalis muscle MS2, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. The mandibular pressing portions 13, 23, and 33 may be configured to press against a portion other than the origin MS2a as long as they can suppress the movement of the mentalis muscle MS2. In the spoons 10, 20, and 30 according to the above-described embodiments, the handles 11, 21, and 31 are not limited to the shapes shown in the examples, as long as they have a shape that can be grasped by the food provider.

[0040] [Summary of Examples of Embodiments, Actions, and Effects of the Present Invention] <First Embodiment> This aspect is a training tool (spoons 10, 20, 30, and fork 40) that is used when a food supplier supplies food into the mouth of a person eating (such as an infant or an adult with incomplete lip closure), and is used to train the person eating to close their lips, and is characterized by comprising a handle (handle 11, 21, 31, 41) that is held by the food supplier, a food supply part (scooping part 12, 22, 32, and comb-teeth part 42) that extends forward from the tip of the handle, and a mandibular pressure part (mandibular pressure part 13, 23, 33, 43) that is provided below the food supply part and that comes into contact with and presses the anterior part of the mandible (anterior mandible JW) of the person eating when at least the tip of the food supply part is inserted into the person eating's mouth, thereby suppressing movement of the person eating's mentalis muscle (mentalis muscle MS2). With the lip-closing training device of this aspect, an eater whose mentalis muscle movement is suppressed by the mandibular pressing portion has its contraction suppressed, limiting the movement of rolling the lower lip (lower lip LPD) into the oral cavity, and will attempt to move the upper lip (upper lip LPU) toward the lower lip by activating facial muscles other than the mentalis muscle in order to close the lips (lips LP). By repeatedly performing this action, the eater will be able to move the upper lip toward the lower lip without rolling the lower lip into the oral cavity, and will be able to learn the movement of closing the lips.

[0041] <Second embodiment> In the lip-closing training device according to this embodiment, the mandibular pressing portion presses the origin of the mentalis muscle (origin MS2a). With the lip-closing training device according to this embodiment, the mandibular pressing portion presses the origin of the mentalis muscle, thereby making it possible to effectively suppress movement of the mentalis muscle.

[0042] <Third embodiment> In the lip-closing training device according to this embodiment, the food supply unit restricts upward movement of the eater's tongue when at least the tip of the food supply unit is inserted into the eater's mouth. With the lip-closing training device according to this embodiment, when the food supply unit restricts upward movement of the tongue (tongue TG), the suprahyoid muscles that move the tongue attempt to move the entire tongue upward, increasing the muscle strength of the suprahyoid muscles. As a result, swallowing ability can be improved.

[0043] <Fourth embodiment> In the lip-closing training device according to this embodiment, the food supply unit is a scooping unit (scooping unit 12) equipped with a depression (depression 12a) for storing food. The lip-closing training device according to this embodiment allows the child to learn the movement of closing their lips while eating soup or the like.

[0044] <Fifth embodiment> In the lip-closing training device according to this embodiment, the food supply portion is a comb-like portion (comb-like portion 42) equipped with comb teeth (comb teeth 42a). With the lip-closing training device according to this embodiment, the lip-closing movement can be learned in the process of eating food using the comb teeth.

[0045] 10...Spoon according to the first embodiment, 11...Handle, 12...Scooping portion, 12a...Recessed portion, W12...Width of scooping portion, L12...Length of scooping portion, H12...Thickness of scooping portion, 13...Mandibular pressing portion, W13...Width of mandibular pressing portion, H13...Height of mandibular pressing portion, 14...Reinforcing portion, GP1...Distance between tip of mandibular pressing portion and tip of scooping portion, 20...Spoon according to the second embodiment, 21...Handle, 21a...Connecting protrusion, 22...Scooping portion, W22...Width of scooping portion, L22...Length of scooping portion, 23...Mandibular pressing portion, 23a...Connecting recess, 30...Spoon according to third embodiment, 31...Handle, 32...Scooping portion, 33...Mandibular pressing portion, 34...Joint piece portion, 40...Fork according to fourth embodiment, 41...Handle, 42...Pectinate portion, 42a...Pectinate teeth, 43...Mandibular pressing portion, 44...Reinforcement portion, IF...Infant, LP...Lips, LPU...Upper lip, LPD...Lower lip, JW...Anterior part of mandible, MS1...Orbicularis oris muscle, MS2...Mentalis muscle, MS2a...Origin of mentalis muscle, MS3...Depressor labii inferioris muscle, MS4...Depressor anguli oris muscle, MS5...Levator labii superioris muscle, MS6...Levator anguli oris muscle, TG...Tongue, TG1...Tip of tongue

Claims

1. A training device used when a food provider supplies food into the mouth of a food consumer for performing lip closure training, comprising: a gripping part gripped by the food provider; a food supply part extending forward from the tip of the gripping part; and a lower jaw pressing part provided below the food supply part, which contacts and presses against the front part of the lower jaw of the food consumer when at least the tip of the food supply part is inserted into the mouth 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.

2. The lip closure training device according to claim 1, wherein the lower jaw pressing part presses the origin of the masseter muscle.

3. The lip closure training device according to claim 1, wherein the food supply part restricts the upward movement of the tongue of the food consumer when at least the tip of the food supply part is inserted into the mouth of the food consumer.

4. The lip closure training device according to claim 1, wherein the food supply part is a scooping part provided with a recess for storing the food.

5. The lip closure training device according to claim 1, wherein the food supply part is a comb-shaped part provided with comb teeth.

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