Infant Feeder Pouch Assembly for Axial Food Displacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing infant feeders rely on external forces such as infant hands or caregiver squeezing to displace food, which can be cumbersome and require complex internal structures.
Innovation Solution
An infant feeder design featuring a handle with a tongue and pouch assembly that allows for a pouch assembly detenting structure to transition from a first to a second configuration using a predetermined axial force, displacing food without external hands, utilizing detenting structures and flexible materials to change the food volume.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If external forces (infant hands or caregiver squeezing) are used to displace food, then food can be moved toward the infant's mouth, but the operation becomes cumbersome and requires complex internal structures
Solution Approach 1:
The pouch assembly is designed to automatically displace food through its own structural changes. The flexible pouch sidewall and detenting structures enable the pouch to self-compress and push food toward the infant's mouth without requiring external squeezing forces, making the system self-serving and eliminating the need for complex internal compression mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The pouch assembly transitions from a static structure to a dynamic one through the detenting mechanism. The pouch can shift between different engagement states with the tongue detenting structures, allowing it to change volume and shape dynamically to push food forward, thereby simplifying the overall device structure while maintaining operational effectiveness
2Productivity
If the pouch assembly is disengaged from the first tongue detenting structure and engaged with the second, then the food volume decreases and food is displaced proximally, but a predetermined axial force must be applied
Solution Approach 1:
The feeding process utilizes periodic action through the detenting mechanism. The pouch assembly engages with the first tongue detenting structure during the feeding phase, then transitions to the second structure to reset and prepare for the next feeding cycle. This periodic engagement and disengagement enables continuous food displacement without requiring sustained high forces
Solution Approach 2:
The pouch assembly employs dynamic structural changes to reduce the force required for food displacement. By utilizing the flexibility of the pouch sidewall and the mechanical advantage of the detenting structures, the system transforms small axial forces into larger compression forces on the food, making the displacement process more efficient and easier to operate
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Facilitates easy and efficient food displacement towards the infant's mouth without complex mechanisms, conforming to oral anatomy and allowing for different food volumes and textures, while maintaining hygiene.
Implementation Method 1
A sidewall of the pouch is formed of a flexible material and bounds a food volume
Implementation Method 2
A pouch assembly detenting structure is formed on a pouch assembly inner surface... a predetermined axial force is applied to disengage the pouch assembly detenting structure from the first tongue detenting structure
Data Source
AI summary
An infant feeder has a handle with a proximally extending tongue and a pouch assembly for fitting over the tongue. The tongue has first and second axially spaced apart detenting structures. In a first configuration, a pouch assembly detenting structure is engaged with the first tongue detenting structure. In order to achieve a second configuration, a predetermined axial force is applied to the pouch assembly relative to the handle, so as to disengage the pouch assembly detenting structure from the first tongue detenting structure, slide the pouch assembly distally down a sidewall of the tongue and engage the second tongue detenting structure. This decreases the size of the food volume bounded by the pouch assembly and the tongue, and proximally displaces any food contained therein.