[0001] This invention relates to a clamping structure for clamping air-tight a flexible
rubber mouthpiece with an open end of a receptacle in a nursing or feeding device.
[0002] A clamping structure has previously been known in which a fitting flange is provided
at the base of a rubber mouthpiece, and is clamped with an inside flange of a clamping
cap threadedly engaged with the periphery the end portion of the receptacle. The conventional
clamping structure, however, has the defect that when the clamping cap is turned for
clamping, the fitting flange deviates irregularly and comes out from between the open
end of the receptacle and the inside flange of the cap, thus causing a failure of
the desired clamping.
[0003] It is an object of this invention to improve the mouthpiece clamping structure in
a conventional nursing device.
[0004] According to this invention, there is provided in a mouthpiece clamping structure
in a nursing device for clamping a flange for fitting a flexible rubber mouthpiece
between an open end of a receptacle and an inside flange of a clamping cap threadedly
engaged with the periphery of the end portion of the receptacle, the improvement comprising
an annular engaging projection provided on the clamping surface of the inside flange
of said clamping cap and annular engaging grooves provided on both clamping surfaces
of said mouthpiece fitting flange, said annular engaging projection on the inside
flange being engaged with one of said annular engaging grooves, and the open end of
said receptacle being engaged with the other annular engaging groove.
[0005] When the mouthpiece fitting flange is to be clamped by turning the clamping cap,
the fitting flange is maintained annular in shape by the annular engaging projection
of the cap to be engaged with the annular engaging groove on one surface of the fitting
flange and the open end of the receptacle to be engaged with the annular engaging
groove on the other surface. Thus, the fitting flange is prevented from deviating
from the desired clamping position. Furthermore, by the engagement of the annular
engaging projection and the open end of the receptacle with the two annular engaging
grooves, the air-tightness between the mouthpiece and the end of the receptacle can
be sufficiently ensured.
[0006] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the
following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying .drawing.
[0007] A preferred embodiment of this invention is described below with reference to the
accompanying drawing.
[0008] The drawing is a vertical sectional view of the mouthpiece clamping structure of
this invention in a nursing device.
[0009] Referring to the drawing, a mouthpiece 1 is made of a flexible elastic rubber such
as a silicone rubber, and a fitting flange 2 is provided at its annular base, and
annular engaging grooves 3 and 4 are provided on both surfaces to be clamped of the
flange 2.
[0010] A clamping cap 5 is made of a hard or semihard synthetic resin. An inside flange
8 is provided at one end of a cylindrical body 6 having female screws 7. The inside
flange 8 projects toward-the center of the body, and on that surface of the inside
flange 8 which faces the body 6 and is to be clamped, an annular engaging projection
9 to be engaged with one annular engaging groove 3 of the fitting flange 2 is provided.
[0011] The receptacle 10 is, for example, a cylindrical receptacle having both open ends
for a "piston-type" nursing device into which a piston is to be inserted slidably.
Male screws 11 are provided on the peripheral surface of one end of the receptacle
10 to which the mouthpiece 1 is to be secured. This receptacle is made of a hard or
semihard synthetic resin.
[0012] In securing the mouthpiece 1, the base of the -mouthpiece 1 is fitted in the inside
flange 8 of the clamping cap 5, and at the same time, the annular engaging projection
9 of the inside flange 8 is engaged with the annular engaging groove 3 on one surface
of the fitting flange 2. The cap 5 having the mouthpiece 1 fitted in this manner is
then threadedly engaged with the male screws 11 of the receptacle 10, and an open
end 12 of the receptacle 10 is engaged with the annular engaging groove 4 on the other
surface of the fitting flange. When the cap 5 is further turned in this state, the
fitting flange 2 is pressed air-tight between the inside flange 8 and the open end
12 of the receptacle 10.
A mouthpiece clamping structure in a nursing device for clamping a flange for fitting
a flexible rubber mouthpiece between an open end of a receptacle and an inside flange
of a clamping cap threadedly engaged with the periphery of the end portion of the
receptacle, characterized by an annular engaging projection ( 9 ) provided on the
clamping surface of the inside flange (8) of said clamping cap (5)and annular engaging
grooves (3,4) provided on both clamping surfaces of said mouthpiece fitting flange
(2), said annular engaging projection (9) on the inside flange (8) being engaged with
one of said annular engaging grooves (3), and the open end (12) of said receptacle
(10) being engaged with the other annular engaging groove (4).
