DEVICE FOR ARTIFICIAL FEEDING OF BABIES

Abstract

 The device for artificial feeding of babies is a releasably connected to each other soft suction nipple (1), to the lower part of which is attached a fitting cap (2) for winding a bottle (3), and a means for controlling the flow rate of liquid passage, located in a gap in the lower part of the soft suction nipple (1). The means for controlling the flow rate of liquid passage is an elastic deformable diaphragm valve mechanism, which is a cylindrical disk-shaped capsule comprising an upper element (4) and a lower element (6), between which a membrane (5) is located. The valve mechanism ensures proportionality between the applied negative pressure during suction and the amount of liquid passed, and does not allow the liquid to spill when changing its orientation.

Description

Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to a teat-type artificial infant feeding device imitating the suction effort of natural feeding, and is applied to the field of baby products.

Prior art

[0002] As babies grow, moments or periods may occur when the child does not have the opportunity to feed naturally, that is why baby bottles are intended. However, since the suction resistance of most baby bottles on the market is less than that of natural feeding, babies easily adapt to bottle feeding and refuse to be breastfed naturally again. This requires creation of a device that provides a nutritional dose depending on the applied suction underpressure, simulating natural feeding as closely as possible.

[0003] Devices for artificial feeding of babies are known, having two positions, respectively a resting position and a feeding position in which pressure is applied in a soft suction nipple. The device includes a releasably interconnected soft suction nipple, to the lower portion of which a fitting cap is attached, and a means for controlling the flow rate of liquid located in a gap in the lower portion of the soft suction nipple. The gap is enclosed by the fitting cap, wherein the soft suction nipple is a monolithic element consisting of a base housing the liquid outflow control means, a neck and a tip, the neck being a truncated cone tapering in direction from the base to the tip of the soft suction nipple, with a central liquid hole formed at the tip and at least one side pressure equalizing hole formed at the neck. The base is connected on one side to the neck, and on a second side, opposite to the first side, there is a free end on which a retaining collar is formed, extending partially in the direction of the central axis of the soft suction nipple. The fitting cap has an upper and lower portion, with the upper portion in contact with the soft suction nipple and the lower portion extending below the soft suction nipple. The fitting cap is an annular element with a retaining collar in an upper part of the fitting cap extending partially towards the central axis of the annular element, and an internal thread in a lower part of the fitting cap, wherein the outside of the soft suction tip between the base and the neck is formed an annular recess in which the retaining collar of the fitting cap is accommodated and sealed. The described device cannot achieve precise regulation of the flow rate of dispensed liquid, for example milk.

[0004] Devices are known for regulating the flow rate in baby bottles as described in US7234607B2, where different degrees of permeability are realized depending on the setting selected by the user by means of turning a plastic nut by which the amount of ventilating air equalizing the pressure in the bottle with the atmospheric one is adjusted. A disadvantage of the considered device is that by throttling the incoming air, precise adjustment of the flow rate cannot be achieved, with differences of up to 28% observed. Another disadvantage is the more complicated construction of the mechanism.

[0005] Another known device is described in US8910810B2, where it is mentioned that there can be a change in the resultant flow rate when the hole in the upper soft part of the teat is changed, respectively by fitting a different suction tip with larger or differently arranged holes. A disadvantage of the considered patent is the danger of the bottle leaking when the orientation is changed moreover when the bottle is full, because the hydrostatic pressure is greater than the suction pressure.

[0006] US8960465B2 describes a device with a variable flow dependent on the applied suction pressure, again using valve mechanisms for the liquid outlet and the air inlet. The main drawback of the device is its experimentally observed leakage in different orientations, as well as the lack of possibility to change the relation between flow rate and pressure based on the specific needs of the user.

[0007] Patent AU2009202692B2 is also known, where an opening in the soft suction part, which is normally closed and in case of deformation, due to the nature of the feeding, opens and allows the liquid to pass through. A disadvantage of the patent is the lack of a precise relation between the applied pressure and the resulting flow rate, due to a vaguely defined degree of deformation.

Summary of the invention

[0008] The task of the invention is to provide an innovative design of a device for artificial feeding of babies, which has a predefined flow rate in relation to the applied pressure and prevents leakages in different orientations during transport and use, with the possibility of changing the set dependency between pressure and flow to the user's goals.

[0009] The mentioned tasks are solved by creating an innovative design with a soft suction nipple and an integrated membrane valve mechanism with one or several orifices integrated into the membrane. The valve mechanism is a cylindrical disc-shaped capsule, and is functionally designed as two separate valve functions integrated in the same membrane with dosing holes. One for the passage of the nutrient liquid and one for the incoming air to equalize the pressure when reducing the nutrient liquid in the closed volume of the bottle. Both functions have an open and closed position, being in the normally closed state due to the elastic properties of the membrane. The functioning of the valve mechanism is provided by a cylindrical body in which the membrane is placed and, due to the geometric similarity, it is called a "capsule". The capsule is developed in two parts - upper and lower to be able to guarantee easy hygiene of the product for the purpose of safe feeding. A portion of the soft suction nipple and valve mechanism is placed in a fitting cap that secures the mechanism to the bottle by applying an axial force along the periphery of the soft suction nipple and capsule, providing protection against leakage between the individual components.

[0010] More specifically, the tasks of the invention are solved by creating a device for artificial feeding of infants having two positions, namely a resting position and a feeding position in which pressure is applied in a soft suction nipple, and comprising releasably connected one with another soft suction nipple, to the lower portion of which a fitting cap is attached, and means for controlling the flow rate of liquid discharge located in a gap in the lower part of the soft suction nipple, which gap is enclosed by the fitting cap. The fitting cap is for a bottle that contains a liquid, such as milk.

[0011] The soft suction nipple is a monolithic element composed of a base in which the means for controlling the flow rate of liquid is located, a neck and a tip, the neck being in the form of a truncated cone, tapering in the direction from the base to the top of the soft suction tip , with a central liquid hole formed at the top, and at least one lateral pressure equalization hole formed at the neck, the base being connected on one side to the neck, and on a second side, opposite the first side, having a free end, on which there is a shaped retaining collar extending partially in the direction of the central axis of the soft suction nipple.

[0012] The fitting cap has an upper and lower portion, with the upper portion in contact with the soft suction nipple and the lower portion extending below the soft suction nipple.

[0013] The fitting cap is an annular element with a retaining collar in an upper part of the fitting cap extending partially towards the central axis of the annular element, and an internal thread in a lower part of the fitting cap.

[0014] An annular recess is formed on the outside of the soft suction nipple between the base and the neck, in which the retaining collar of the fitting cap is accommodated and sealed.

[0015] In the soft suction nipple, from the tip, through the neck, to the annular recess, a cylindrical fluid passage chamber is formed with a rounded end in the tip region of the soft suction nipple, and in the upper part, the wall of the fluid passage chamber is monolithically connected to the wall of the neck, and in a lower part the wall of the passing fluid chamber separates a pressure equalization chamber formed in the neck from the passing fluid chamber. At least one pressure equalization opening is formed in the area of the pressure equalization chamber. The lower part of the wall of the passing liquid chamber is formed as a sealing lip to seal the contact between the means for controlling the flow of liquid and the passing liquid chamber.

[0016] The means for controlling the flow rate of liquid discharge is an elastic deformable diaphragm valve mechanism which is a cylindrical disc-shaped capsule comprising an upper element and a lower element between which a membrane is located.

[0017] The upper element is located closer to the soft suction nipple than the lower element.

[0018] The lower element of the capsule has a larger diameter than the upper element of the capsule.

[0019] The membrane has sequentially located from the center to its outer edge at least one passage hole for the passage of liquid and at least two through holes for pressure equalization, the at least two passage holes for pressure equalization are connected on one side to an upper element of the capsule, and from second side to the lower element of the capsule.

[0020] The upper element has a central fluid passage hole surrounded by a flange, through which the passage hole is connected to the fluid passage chamber of the soft suction nipple, the sealing lip tightly enclosing the outer wall of the flange. The upper element also has an inner fixing ring and a peripheral fixing ring sequentially formed on its side facing the membrane in the direction from the central liquid passage hole to the outer edge thereof, and having at least two pressure equalizing passage openings, which are formed partly on the fixing inner ring and partly on the area of the upper element located between the fixing inner ring and the fixing peripheral ring.

[0021] The lower element has a central liquid passage opening to the membrane, and sequentially formed on its side opposite the membrane, in the direction from the central liquid passage opening to the outer edge of the lower element, an inner liquid passage channel, an outer deformation channel of the membrane with at least one pressure equalization passage, a peripheral fixing channel, and a peripheral fixing ring formed thereon. The central fluid passage opening of the lower element is coaxial with and of smaller diameter than the central fluid passage channel of the upper element. The membrane pressure equalization passageways are located radially closer, i.e. further toward the central axis of the device relative to at least two pressure equalization passageways of the upper capsule element that are connected to the atmospheric pressure equalization chamber.

[0022] The pressure equalizing passage openings of the membrane are located against the fixing inner ring of the upper element of the capsule, which protrudes in the direction of the membrane. At least one of the membrane pressure equalizing passage openings is coaxial with a corresponding pressure equalizing opening in the outer channel of the lower capsule element. The at least one liquid passage opening of the membrane is located radially further away, i.e. outward from the central axis of the device relative to the surrounding edge of the central liquid passage opening of the lower member, and at rest, the central liquid passage opening and the central liquid passage opening are isolated from each other by the membrane. The at least one liquid passage opening is located in the area of the membrane that is outside the diameter of the central liquid passage opening and rests on the inner liquid passage channel of the lower element. The at least one liquid passage opening of the membrane is smaller than the difference of the radius of the central liquid passage opening of the lower element and the radius of the at least one liquid passage opening, and is connected thereto.

[0023] The peripheral fixing ring of the upper element is positioned and fixed in the peripheral fixing channel of the lower element and thus forms a bed for accommodating the membrane.

[0024] The peripheral fixing ring of the lower element surrounds the upper element.

[0025] The capsule also has a locking means to prevent radial displacement of the upper element relative to the lower element.

[0026] The membrane has a central deformation zone, in the area of the central liquid passage opening of the lower element. In the resting position, the membrane rests tightly against/on/towards the outer membrane deformation channel, the peripheral fixing channel, at least the two atmospheric pressure equalization passageways, at least one atmospheric pressure equalization passageway, and the central fluid passageway. In a feeding position in the central deformation zone, the membrane is deformed by inflating in the flange direction, and a liquid passage gap is formed between the at least one liquid passage opening of the membrane, the inner liquid passage channel, and the central liquid passage opening of liquid on the lower element of the capsule.

[0027] The membrane has a state of rest and a state of deformation, as in a state of deformation due to a difference occurred between the pressure in the pressure equalization chamber and the pressure in the bottle, the membrane is configured so that it is deformed in the area located on the outer membrane deformation channel of the lower element of the capsule to form a gap for the passage of air between the at least two pressure equalization passageways of the upper member, the membrane pressure equalization passageways, and the at least one pressure equalization passageway in the lower capsule element.

[0028] In a situation without applied suction pressure, the membrane rests on the channels of the upper and lower elements of the capsule, and accordingly the liquid cannot pass through it, thus avoiding leakage, since the liquid is confined only in the bottle. After applying pressure to the soft suction nipple, the deformation characteristics of the membrane open a gap relative to the channels of the capsule, and the liquid can pass through them and throttle through the holes in the membrane. As the liquid level in the bottle drops, a pressure lower than the atmospheric one is created, deforming the capsule membrane at the larger openings in its outer part. Through the holes, air passes from a fluid chamber of the soft suction nipple, whose pressure is equal to the atmospheric one due to the presence of a hole in it, thus equalizing the pressure in the bottle without changing the suction pressure to achieve the target flow rate and the originally set dependency is met under all conditions. Leakage protection is ensured by the separation of the flow paths of the outgoing liquid and the incoming equalizing air, as well as by the applied axial force between the individual components and the elasticity of the materials from which they are made.

[0029] Preferably, the membrane is made of soft sheet material with a thickness of 0.5 mm.

[0030] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the upper element of the capsule has laterally projecting at least one ear for accommodating and forming an assembly in a corresponding cut in the fixing peripheral ring of the lower element of the capsule.

[0031] The invention makes it possible to feed the baby in a way as close as possible to the natural one, creating the necessary resistance when sucking, without the risk of the bottle leaking in different orientations during transport and use.

Brief description of the figures

[0032] In more detail, the invention is illustrated by preferred embodiments, given as non-limiting examples of the invention, with reference to the attached figures, wherein:

Figure 1 shows a longitudinal section of an assembled device for artificial feeding of babies according to a preferred embodiment of the invention with the individual main components marked.

Figure 2 shows a longitudinal section of an assembled device for artificial feeding of babies according to a preferred embodiment of the invention with the main functional elements marked.

Figure 3 shows a longitudinal section of the soft suction nipple of the device for artificial feeding of babies, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 4 shows a top view of the lower capsule element of the device for artificial feeding of babies according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 5 shows a bottom view of the upper capsule element of the device for artificial feeding of babies according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 6 shows a top profile view of the soft suction nipple according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 7 shows a top profile view of the fitting cap according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 8 shows a bottom profile view of the upper capsule element according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 9 shows a top profile view of the lower capsule element according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 10 shows a top profile view of the membrane according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

List of reference numbers

[0033] 

1.

soft suction nipple

2.

fitting cap

3.

bottle

4.

upper capsule element

5.

membrane

6.

lower capsule element

7.

center liquid passage opening on the soft suction nipple

8.

pressure equalizing chamber

9.

side opening for pressure equalization of the soft suction nipple

10.

sealing lip

11.

through holes for pressure equalization of the upper element of the capsule

12.

fixing part of the fitting cap

13.

through holes for pressure equalization in the membrane

14.

internal channel for the passage of liquid on the lower element of the capsule

15.

through holes for pressure equalization of the lower element of the capsule

16.

internal thread of the fitting cap

17.

central zone of membrane deformation

18.

flange of the upper element of the capsule

19.

liquid passage opening on the membrane

20.

fixing peripheral ring of the lower element of the capsule

21.

front seal between the soft suction nipple and the bottle

22.

central liquid passage opening of the lower element of the capsule

23.

fixing inner ring of the upper element of the capsule

24.

fixing peripheral ring of the upper element of the capsule

25.

peripheral fixing channel of the lower element of the capsule

26.

external channel for membrane deformation in the lower element of the capsule

27.

liquid passing chamber on the soft suction nipple

28.

gap at the bottom of the soft suction nipple

29.

a central liquid passage opening of the upper element of the capsule

30.

ear of the capsule

31.

notch in the fixing peripheral ring of the lower element

Examples of implementation and operation of the invention

[0034] The exemplary embodiment of the device for artificial feeding of babies, imitating the suction effort of natural feeding, as shown in the figures, includes the following components satisfying the requirements of BDS EN 14350, Regulation (EU) 2018/213 and Directive 93/11/EEC: as is shown, for example, in figure 3, a soft suction nipple 1 releasably connected to each other, to the lower part of which is attached a fitting cap 2 for tightening a bottle 3, and means for controlling the flow rate of liquid discharge located in a gap in the lower part of the soft suction nipple 1. The means for controlling the flow rate of liquid discharge is an elastic deformable diaphragm valve mechanism which is a cylindrical disk-shaped capsule comprising an upper element 4 and a lower element 6 between which a membrane 5 is located. The valve mechanism ensures proportionality between the applied suction vacuum and the quantity of discharged liquid.

[0035] The soft suction nipple 1 as shown in figure 6 is made of a soft material (e.g. silicone) with a hardness of about 50 according to Shore. The selected material must allow ergonomics, tactile and geometric representation of the female breast, good sealing in the separate areas of contact between the elements, easy hygiene, and preservation of the material and visual characteristics during use. The component should be manufactured using a molding tool by injection molding technology. In its composition, the soft suction nipple 1 should include two chambers - a fluid passage chamber 27 with a large opening at the upper end of the baby feeding device, and a pressure equalization chamber 8 surrounding the fluid passage chamber 27 with a side opening 9 around the periphery of the soft suction nipple 1 to ensure equalization with atmospheric pressure. The side openings 9 can be one, two, three or more in number. The two chambers 27, 8 should be able to be connected to the openings of the membrane 5 by means of the other components in the device, for which a space is provided in the lower part of the soft suction nipple 1. A sealing lip 10 and a fixing part 12 of the fitting cap 2 should appear with guaranteed penetration relative to the upper part of the valve mechanism (capsule) in order to isolate the flows well. The sealing lip 10 is adhered to the outer wall of the flange 18 of the upper element 4 of the capsule and the liquid passing chamber 27. On the outside of the soft suction nipple 1, on its periphery, between the base and the neck, an annular recess is formed, in which the fixing collar of the fitting cap 2 is accommodated and sealed. The sealing is done by tightening the fitting cap 2 to the bottle 3, with which it is pressed against the soft suction nipple 1.

[0036] A fitting cap 2, as shown in Figure 7, is made of plastic of sufficient strength to ensure its sealing capabilities when tightened to contain the liquid and ensure no leakage. It is important, through the used material and workmanship, to guarantee easy hygiene due to the small cavities and hard-to-reach elements of the part. The component should be manufactured using an injection molding tool. Fitting cap 2 must have a thread corresponding to the bottle 3, in the part near the bottle 3, also called the lower part of the fitting cap 2, and turning to seal the other components of the assembled device by means of its fixing part 12. The fitting cap part 2 near the soft suction nipple 1 is called the upper part of the fitting cap 2.

[0037] The capsule, composed of an upper element 4 and a lower element 6, as shown in figures 1 and 2, is made of plastic, allowing to achieve the necessary precision characteristics of the surfaces in order to realize the intended deformation of the membrane 5.

[0038] The upper element 4 of the capsule, as shown in Figs. 5 and 8, has a central liquid passage opening, and successively formed in the direction from the center to its outer edge, on the membrane side 5, a first liquid passage channel, fixing inner ring 23, a second membrane deformation channel, a fixing peripheral ring 24, with pressure equalization through holes 11 formed on the upper capsule member 4, each of which pressure equalization through holes 11 is formed partially on the second pressure equalization channel deformation of the membrane and partially on the fixing inner ring 23. The fixing peripheral ring 24 of the upper element 4 is protruding in the direction of the membrane 5. The rings of the lower element 6 are formed from the surface of the lower element 6 between the channels.

[0039] The upper element 4 of the capsule has a laterally projecting tab 30 for accommodating and forming an assembly in a corresponding notch 31 in the peripheral fixing channel 25 of the lower element of the capsule. One or more ears, for example two or three ears, may be formed to allow the user to separate the two parts of the device and assist in uniquely orienting the individual parts of the mechanism. It is possible for the ear(s) to have a different geometry, provided that its function determines the geometry.

[0040] An alternative to tab 30 is to use other fixing means, such as a bud and a socket, which lock to each other when rotating the infant feeding device to the bottle 3.

[0041] The lower element 6 of the capsule, as shown in Figures 4 and 9, has a central liquid passage opening 22 to the membrane 5, and successively formed on the side of the membrane 5 in the direction from the central liquid passage opening 22 to the outer edge of the lower element 6, a first inner ring surrounding the central liquid passage opening 22, an internal liquid passage channel 14, a second inner ring surrounding the internal liquid passage channel 14, an outer membrane deformation channel 26 having formed thereon at least one through hole for equalizing pressure 15, a third inner ring enclosing the outer channel 26 for deformation of the membrane 5, a peripheral fixing channel 25, and a fixing peripheral ring 20. The fixing peripheral ring 20 of the lower element 6 is protruding in the direction of the upper element 4 and surrounds it. The lower element 6 of the capsule also has a notch 31 in the fixing peripheral channel 25 which forms an assembly with the tab 30 of the upper element 4 of the capsule.

[0042] The capsule should be manufactured in two parts using an injection moulding tool. The capsule should allow the membrane 5 to deform upon application of suction pressure so as to allow the passage of outgoing liquid and incoming air. The capsule should have through holes for the incoming air 11 and 15 and for the outgoing liquid 14 and 29, as well as channels through which the membrane 5 is deformed, respectively the outer channel of the lower element of the capsule and the second channel of the upper element of the capsule. Since it is important that the membrane 5 is positioned correctly in relation to the openings and channels of the capsule, the accuracy of the elements of its composition must be guaranteed during its manufacture.

[0043] The membrane 5, as shown in figure 10, is made of a soft material to guarantee a sufficiently large deformation in order to pass the fluid at the prescribed pressure. The membrane 5 should be made from sheet material with a thickness of 0.5 mm using cutting operations. Since high hole accuracies (+/-10µm) and good cut quality are to be achieved, it is possible to use laser cutting technology. The membrane 5 should work efficiently in accordance with the capsule, and openings 19 for the liquid and 13 for the air are provided in the membrane 5. The liquid passage openings 19 are radially further located on the surface of the membrane 5 relative to the liquid passage openings 13. The liquid passage openings 19 of the membrane 5 have a smaller diameter than the liquid passage opening 34 of the upper element 4, for example, are point openings. The membrane 5 must be correctly positioned relative to the openings and channels of the capsule, which means that it must lie without bending in between the upper element 4 and the lower element 6 of the capsule, and the openings in the membrane are covered (completely fall into the outline) by the fixing ring 23.

[0044] The membrane 5 may be replaceable so as to provide different proportionality factors between the suction vacuum applied and the amount of liquid passed through.

[0045] The membrane 5 is made of a soft sheet material, for example 0.5 mm thick, but other thicknesses are also possible, for example 0.4 mm, 0.6 mm or another suitable value.

[0046] The operation of the invention will be examined in its two functional states - without suction vacuum applied during storage and transport and with suction vacuum applied in feeding mode.

[0047] In the state without applied suction underpressure, when the orientation of the bottle is changed, liquid from the bottle 3 penetrates the pressure equalization holes 15 and the external membrane deformation channel 26 in the lower element 6 of the capsule, and is stopped by the membrane 5 before the through holes to equalize the pressure 13 due to the effect of the valve structure, which is in a normally closed state relative to the lower element 6 of the capsule. The valve effect is achieved by fixing the membrane 5 in the areas between the fixing rings 23 and 24 in the upper element 4 of the capsule, and the opening 14 and the channel 25 in the lower element 6 of the capsule, and the external channel 26, based on the elastic characteristics of the material, from which the membrane 5 is made. The front seal 21 between the soft suction nipple 1 and the bottle 3, pressed by the lower element 6 of the capsule, by means of the axial force applied by the fitting cap 2, ensures that there will be no passage of liquid in the contact.

[0048] In the second functional state in the feeding mode with suction underpressure applied at the central liquid passage opening 7 of the soft suction nipple 1, the orientation of the bottle is as discussed in the first case without suction underpressure applied so that there can be liquid flow and accordingly does the feeding. The applied underpressure causes the elastic membrane 5 to deform upwards in its central deformation zone 17, which is located on the central liquid passage opening 22, releasing a space between the wall of the liquid passage opening 19 and the internal liquid passage channel 14 in the lower element 6 of the capsule, thus the liquid enters the internal liquid passage channel 14 in the lower element 6 of the capsule, and is throttled through the openings of the membrane 19. From there, the liquid passes through the opening 29 in the upper element of the capsule, through the liquid passing chamber 27 to the central opening of the soft suction nipple 1 and to the baby's oral cavity. Due to the penetration between the sealing lip 10 and the upper element 4 of the capsule, as well as the applied underpressure in the liquid passing chamber 27, the sealing lip 10 retracts against the flange 18, sealing the contact between the two elements, ensuring no leakage during the feeding regime.

[0049] In order to ensure that in feeding mode the pressure in the bottle 3 will not be lower than the atmospheric one, which in turn will hinder the further passage of the liquid, and accordingly the pre-set parameters for the relationship between pressure and flow rate will not be respected, in the event of a difference between the pressures in the bottle 3 and the pressure equalization chamber 8, the pressure of which is equivalent to the atmospheric one, guaranteed by the side opening for pressure equalization 9, the lower pressure in the bottle 3 causes the membrane 5 to deform along the external channel 26 of the space for deformation of the lower element 6 of the capsule, and accordingly to allow the passage of air, replacing the volume of the missing liquid, from the through holes 11 in the upper element 4 of the capsule, through the through holes 13 in the membrane 5 and the through holes 15 in the lower element 6 of the capsule. The through holes 13 in the membrane 5 are larger than the passage openings for passing liquid 19, ensuring that in the event of a small difference in pressures, correspondingly a small deformation of the membrane 5, the pressure is easily equalized and the functioning of the mechanism is not disturbed.

[0050] It will be clear to the skilled in the art that various modifications of the infant feeding device are possible, which also fall within the scope of the invention defined in the appended claims. All parts of the device can be replaced with technically equivalent elements.

[0051] The reference numbers of the technical features are included in the claims solely for the purpose of increasing the comprehensibility of the claims and, therefore, these reference numbers do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of the elements indicated by them.

Claims

1. A device for artificial feeding of babies, having two positions, namely a resting position and a feeding position, in which pressure is applied to a soft suction nipple (1), and comprising a releasably connected soft suction nipple (1), to the lower part of which is attached a fitting cap (2), and means for controlling the flow rate of liquid discharge located in the gap (28) in the lower part of the soft suction nipple (1), which gap (28) is enclosed by the fitting cap (2), wherein the soft suction nipple (1) is a monolithic element composed of a base in which the means for controlling the flow rate of liquid discharge, a neck and a tip are located, the neck being in the form of a truncated cone, tapering in the direction from the base to the tip of the soft suction nipple (1), with a central liquid passage opening (7) formed at the tip, and at least one side pressure equalization opening (9) formed at the neck, the base being connected on one side to the neck, and on a second side, opposite to the first side, there is a free end on which a sealing collar is formed, extending partially in the direction of the central axis of the soft suction nipple, the fitting cap having an upper and a lower part, the upper part being in contact with the soft suction nipple (1) and the lower part extends below the soft suction nipple (1), wherein the fitting cap is an annular element with a fixing collar in an upper part of the fitting cap (2) extending partially in the direction of the central axis of the annular element, and an internal thread (16) in a lower part of the fitting cap (2), wherein the outside of the soft suction nipple (1) an annular recess is formed between the base and the neck, in which the fixing collar of the fitting cap (2) is placed and sealed, characterized in that in the soft suction nipple (1), from the tip, through the neck, to the annular recess, a cylindrical liquid passing chamber (27) is formed with a rounded end in the region of the tip of the soft suction nipple (1), with the wall of the liquid passing chamber in the upper part (27) is monolithically connected to the wall of the neck, and in the lower part the wall of the liquid passing chamber (27) separates a pressure equalization chamber (8) formed in the throat from the liquid passing chamber (27), as in the region of the pressure equalizing chamber (8) at least one pressure equalization opening (9) is formed, wherein the lower part of the wall of the liquid passing chamber (27) is formed as a sealing lip (10) to seal the contact between the means for controlling the flow rate of liquid discharge and the liquid passing chamber (27), wherein the means for controlling the flow rate of liquid discharge is an elastic deformable membrane valve mechanism, which is a cylindrical disk-shaped capsule, including an upper element (4) and a lower element (6), between which a membrane (5) is located, wherein the upper element (4) is located closer to the soft suction nipple (1) than the lower element (6), wherein the lower element (6) of the capsule is of a larger diameter compared to the upper element (4) of the capsule, wherein the membrane (5) is arranged sequentially from the center to its outer edge at least one liquid passage opening (19) and at least two through holes for equalizing pressure (13), the at least two through holes for equalizing pressure (13) being connected on the one hand to an upper element (4) of the capsule, and on the other hand to the lower element (6) of the capsule, wherein the upper element (4) has a central liquid passage opening (29) surrounded by a flange (18), through which the passage opening (29) is connected to the liquid passing chamber (27) of the soft suction nipple (1), the sealing lip (10) tightly surrounding the outer wall of the flange (18), and the upper element (4) also has successively formed on its side lying against the membrane (5), in the direction from the central liquid passage opening (29) to its outer edge, fixing inner ring (23), and a fixing peripheral ring (24), having also at least two through holes for equalizing pressure (11), which are formed partly on the fixing inner ring (23) and partly on the area of the upper element (4) located between the fixing inner ring (23) and the fixing peripheral ring (24), wherein the lower element (6) has a central liquid passage opening (22) to the membrane (5), and successively formed on its side lying opposite the membrane (5), in the direction from the central liquid passage opening (22) to the outer edge of the bottom element (6), a central internal passage channel (14), an external membrane deformation channel (5) with at least one pressure equalization through hole (15) formed therein, a peripheral fixing channel (25), and a peripheral fixing ring (20), wherein the central liquid passage opening (22) of the lower member (6) is coaxial with and with a smaller diameter than the central channel for the passage of liquid of the upper element (4), wherein the pressure equalization through holes (13) of the membrane (5) are located radially closer to the central axis of the device than at least the two pressure equalization through holes (11) of the upper element (4) of the capsule which are connected to the atmospheric pressure equalization chamber (8), with the through holes for pressure equalization (13) of the membrane (5) located against the fixing inner ring (23) of the upper element (4) of the capsule, which is protruding in the direction of the membrane (5), wherein at least one of the pressure equalization through holes (13) of the membrane (5) is coaxial with a corresponding pressure equalization through hole (15) in the external channel (26) of the lower element (6) of the capsule, wherein at rest the central liquid passage opening (22) and the central liquid passage opening (29) are isolated from each other by the membrane (5), with at least one liquid passage opening (19) located in the area of the membrane (5) which is outside the diameter of the central liquid passage opening (22), and rests on the internal liquid passage channel (14) of the lower element (6), wherein at least one liquid passage opening (19) of the membrane (5) is smaller than the difference of the radius of the central liquid passage opening (22) of the lower element (6) and the radius of the at least one liquid passage opening (19), and is connected thereto, wherein the peripheral fixing ring (24) of the upper element (4) is positioned and fixed in the peripheral fixing channel (25) of the lower element (6) and thus a bed is formed for accommodating the membrane (5), wherein the upper element (4) is enclosed by the peripheral fixing ring (20) of the lower element (6), wherein the capsule also has a fixing means to prevent radial displacement of the upper element (4) relative to the lower element (6), wherein the membrane (5) has a central deformation zone (17), in the region of the central liquid passage opening (22) of the lower element (6), wherein in the resting position the membrane (5) lies tightly against the external deformation channel (26) of the membrane (5), the peripheral fixing channel (25), at least the two atmospheric pressure equalization through holes (11), the at least one atmospheric pressure equalization through hole (15), and the central liquid passage opening (22), and in the feeding position in the central deformation zone (17), the membrane (5) is deformed by inflating in the direction of the flange (18), and a liquid passage gap is formed between at least one liquid passage opening (19) of the membrane (5), the internal liquid passage channel (14), and the central liquid passage opening (22) of the lower element (6) of the capsule, wherein the membrane (5) has a state of rest and a state of deformation from a difference between the pressure in the pressure equalization chamber (8) and the pressure in the bottle, as in a state of deformation the membrane (5) is deformed in the area located on the external channel (26) for deformation of the membrane (5) of the lower element (6) of the capsule, for forming a gap for the passage of air between at least the two through holes for pressure equalization (11) of the upper element (4), the through holes for pressure equalization (13) of the membrane (5), and at least one through hole for pressure equalization (15) in the lower element (6) of the capsule.

2. Device for artificial feeding of babies according to claim 1, characterized in that the membrane (5) is made of soft sheet material with a thickness of 0.5 mm.

3. Device for artificial feeding of babies according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the upper element (4) of the capsule has laterally protruding at least one tab (30) for accommodating and forming an assembly in a corresponding notch (31) in the fixing peripheral ring (20) of the lower element (6) of the capsule.

Drawing