Artificial Nipple Check Valve Nested in Flange
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional artificial nipples are prone to damage and deformation due to external forces, leading to loss of functionality and leakage, especially when exposed valve bodies are subjected to repeated opening and closing, and there is no convenient method to introduce external air into the bottle without manual deformation.
Innovation Solution
A molded artificial nipple made of elastic material with a check valve entirely accommodated within the flange section, featuring integrally formed valve bodies with a triangular cross-section slit and arc-shaped base end sections, which prevents damage and allows air to enter without manual deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If valve bodies are provided exposed below a flange section of the artificial nipple, then external air can be led into the bottle, but the valve bodies are readily damaged and deformed by external forces
Solution Approach 1:
The valve bodies are nested within the flange section thickness, completely enclosed by the flange structure. This nesting protects the movable valve bodies from external forces during washing and handling, while still allowing them to function as a check valve by opening and closing to lead air into the bottle when needed
2Ease of operation
If valve bodies are provided at a flange section with semi-circular structure, then air can enter the bottle, but the valve bodies have small range of motion and are damaged by repeated opening and closing
Solution Approach 1:
The valve bodies are designed with an arc-shaped cross-section that allows them to dynamically open and close with sufficient range of motion. This dynamic structure enables repeated opening and closing operations during washing and use without deformation, maintaining durability while ensuring air can enter the bottle when needed
3Stability of the object's composition
If no gap is provided between the artificial nipple and cap, then structural integrity is maintained, but external air cannot be led into the bottle without forcing deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The flange section is pre-formed with a gap between the artificial nipple and cap during manufacturing. This preliminary action eliminates the need for forcing deformation during use, allowing air to be led into the bottle conveniently while maintaining stable connection between the nipple and cap
4Reliability
If valve bodies are separate movable pieces, then check valve function is achieved, but the valve bodies deform over time and lose initial functionality
Solution Approach 1:
The valve bodies are merged with the flange section to form an integral structure. This combining maintains the check valve function while preventing deformation over time, as the valve bodies are no longer separate movable pieces that can lose alignment but are instead permanently positioned within the flange section
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
The solution provides a sturdy artificial nipple that maintains functionality and prevents deformation, ensuring reliable air introduction into the bottle without manual force, thus preventing leakage and maintaining effective lactation.
Implementation Method 1
Milk becomes thus harder to suction, and negative pressure causes the artificial nipple to collapse. Therefore, some instances of artificial nipples are found in which downwardly-protruding valve bodies are provided at a flange section of a base section at the lower end of the artificial nipple, so that the valve bodies form a check valve that leads external air into the bottle.
Implementation Method 2
an artificial nipple that is provided with a check valve that is not readily damaged and does not deform readily even upon repeated opening and closing
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3(a)~3(b)
AI summary
An object of the present invention is to provide an artificial nipple in which a nipple tip section can sufficiently reach the sucking fossa and can be appropriately squashed, so that a nursing operation can reliably take place in that state, and to provide also a nursing container that uses the artificial nipple. The artificial nipple is a molded product made of an elastic material such as a soft resin and configured overall as a substantially conical hollow body, and has a base section 21 that widens to match an attachment object; an areola section 22 that is formed contiguously to the base section and that extends while narrowing gradually; and a nipple section 23 that extends from the areola section and that narrows more than the areola section. A flange section 41 provided in the base section has a predetermined thickness. A check valve 44, which is formed with a valve body so as to be entirely accommodated within the thickness dimension of the flange, is provided in the base section.