US3395822A - Nursing device - Google Patents

Description

Aug. 6, 1968 T- J. DONLEAVY NURSING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 7, 1966 INVENTOR.

THOMAS J DOA/LEAW 2048 2M;

ATTORNEY Aug. 6, 1968 T. J. DONLEAVY NURSING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 7, 1966 INVENTOR THOMAS .1 DONLfAl/y LM Jam;

ATTORNEY United States ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A liquid dispensing means for feeding infants comprising a collapsible container means provided with a top portion having an opening for receiving liquid and a bottom portion with a first corner providing a liquid dispensing nipple protuberance and a second corner, a resilient plastic outer structure means having a top portion and a bottom portion and an opening extending therethrough for removably receiving and securing said container means therein, the bottom portion of said structure means having a diagonally cut-away first corner region for exposing nipple protuberance of said container means and an attaching element at its second corner region for releasably securing said structure means with said second corner portion of said container means, said container means having first and second flaps foldable apart over the top portion of said structure means for allowing said container means to be filled through its top opening with a liquid while secured and positioned within said structure means and subsequently folded together over the top portion of said structure means to enclose the top opening of said container means for sealing liquid therewithin, and clamp means for releasably securing the folded flaps of said container means with said top portion of said structure means.

T he invention relates to a liquid dispensing means, and more particularly to a dispensing container for feeding infants and small children.

Heretofore, liquid dispensing means have been provided utilizing collapsible disposable liquid containing elements. However, the present liquid dispensing means provides structural and operational features providing great advantages in the use of the dispensing means, both to the infant being fed, as well as in the preparation and utilization of the container means.

Therefore, a principal object of the invention is to provide a new and improved liquid dispensing means providing a structure which is highly desirable for feeding infants and small children.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved liquid dispensing means which will minimize any injury or other detrimental effects upon an infant or small child being fed.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved liquid dispensing means providing a deformable nipple protrusion for being received into the infants mouth for feeding purposes and minimizing damage to the mouth and gums, and promoting and maintaining a proper swallowing pattern and habit in the infant.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved liquid dispensing means having a disposable sanitary container means for the liquid to be dispensed. Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved liquid dispensing means providing a collapsible container for fluid to be dispensed which is removably secured within and protected by an outer structure allowing easy and sanitary handling of the dispensing means.

atent Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved liquid dispensing means allowing same to be easily filled with the fluid to be dispensed and sealed for immediate or future use.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved liquid dispensing means with a removable cover means allowing the dispensing means to be supported in the upright or inverted positions respectively.

The above advantages as well as many others are provided by the liquid dispensing means comprising a collapsible container means with a top portion having an opening for receiving liquid and a bottom portion providing a liquid dispensing nipple protuberance, and an outer structure means for removably receiving and securing said container therewithin. The container means has a first corner portion in its bottom for providing the nipple protuberance and a second corner portion for being secured with the structure means by a snap fastener. The container means has a first and second flap foldable apart over the top portion of the structure means for allowing the container means to be filled through its to opening with a liquid while secured and positioned within the structure means and subsequently foldable together to enclose the top opening of the container means for sealing the liquid therewithin.

A clamp means is provided for releasably securing the folder flaps of the container means with the top portion of the structure means. The structure means has a cutaway region at its bottom portion for exposing the nipple protuberance of the container structure for dispensing liquid therefrom. The nipple protuberance has an outer configuration deformably maintained by the pressure of the liquid Within the container structure and includes an opening therethrough for dispensing liquid which is enclosed by removable sealing means.

A cover means is removably securable with the bottom portion of the structure means for protecting the nipple protuberance of the container means, and provides a support for the liquid dispensing container means in its upright position. The cover means is also removably securable with the top portion of the structure means for supporting the dispensing means in an inverted position.

The container means has side walls of a thin sheet plastic material, substantially rectangular in form in its original unfilled condition and is deformable upon receiving a liquid therein responsive to the pressure of said liquid. The structure means is of tubular configuration and composed of a resilient plastic material, while said cover means may have an enclosed end and a tubular body of plastic material receivable over the top and bottom portion of said structure means.

Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and in part be described when the following specification is read in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a front elevational view of a liquid dispensing means embodying the invention,

FIGURE 2 is a view similar to FIGURE 1, with the cover means removed from the bottom of the structure means,

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken On the line 3-3 of FIGURE 1,

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged sectional view with portions broken away of the top of the container means and structure means with the flaps of the container means in their open unsealed positions,

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 55 of FIGURE 2,

FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of the container means of the liquid dispensing means,

FIGURE 7 is a front elevational view of a liquid dispensing means showing same supported in the upright position with portions broken away,

FIGURE 8 is a sectional view of the liquid dispensing means with a modified cover means supporting same in the upright position,

FIGURE 9 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the right corner portion of the container means shown in FIG- URE 6,

FIGURE 10 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the protruding nipple portion of the container means shown in FIGURE 6, and

FIGURE 11 is a sectional view taken on the line 11-11 of FIGURE 10.

Like reference numerals designate like parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the figures, the liquid dispensing means 10 embodying the invention comprises a container means 12 (FIGURE 6) of substantially rectangular configuration in its unfilled condition having front and rear side walls 14 and 16, with top and bottom portions 18 and 20.

The top portion 18 of the container means 12 is provided with a pair of foldable flaps 22, 24 formed by the side slits 26 along the side edges 28 of the container means 12. The bottom portion of the container means 12 has a left corner portion 30 for providing a nipple protuberance, while the right corner portion 32 has a sealed region 34 which does not communicate with the cavity 36 within the container means 12. The cavity 36 receives therein liquid through the opening 38 provided at the top portion 18 of the container means 12.

The container means 12 are disposable after each use of the dispensing means 10 and is removably received within and supported by the structure means 40 of the dispensing means 10. The structure means 40 is of tubular configuration providing an opening 42 extending through its top and bottom portions 44, 46 for receiving therein the container means 12. The container means 12 may readily be received through the opening 48 at the bottom of the structure means 40 or through the opening 50 at the top 44 of the structure means 40. As shown in FIG- URE 4, the flaps 22, 24 are folded apart over the top portion 44 of the structure means leaving the opening 38 into the cavity 36 of the container means 12 open for receiving liquid therethrough while positioned within the structure means 40. After filling the container means 12 with a liquid to the extent desired, the flaps 22, 24 of the container means 12 are brought together and folded together over one side 51 of the top portion 44 of the structure means 40 and secured thereallong by the clamp means 52 as clearly shown in FIGURE 3.

The clamping means 52 which may be of a spring-actuated type is releasable by compressing its ends 55, and when engaged as illustrated, clamps the outer structure means 40 with the top portion 18 of the container means 12 sealing the contents within the container means 12 while so positioning and retaining same within the opening 42 of the structure means 40. Of course, the container means 12 is rapidly released by the removal of the clamping means 52.

For further securing the container means 12 within the structure means 40, the bottom portion 46 of the structure means 40 is provided in its right corner portion 56 with a securing element 58 in the form of a clamping fastener having mating portions 60, 62 on opposite sides of the structure means 40. The corner portion 34 of the container means 12 is engaged by the portions 60, 62 of the securing element 58 as shown in FIGURE 5 for securely and releasably attaching the right corner portion of the container means 12 with the corresponding bottom portion of the structure means 40. Thus, the container means 12 is releasably secured at its top and bottom portions 18,

20 with the respective top and bottom portions 44, 46 of the structure means 40.

The bottom 46 of the structure means 40 is provided with a cutaway region at its left corner portion defined by the diagonal edges 64. The cutaway region of the bottom of the structure means 40 allows the left corner portion 30 of the container structure 12 to extend therefrom in exposed relationship. The portion 30 of the container means 12 provides a nipple protrusion 65 having an outer configuration provided by the internal fluid liquid pressure exerted by the liquid contained therewithin. The configuration produced is substantially of conical form and most suitable for feeding an infant or small child. The end 66 of the nipple protrusion 65 formed in the container means 12 may be provided with an opening therethrough 68 (see FIGURES l0 and 11) which may be sealed or enclosed by a removable adhesion strip or tab element 71 which can be removed just before the infant is to be fed by the liquid dispensing means 10.

Since the container means 12 is made of a thin plastic material which is highly deformable and the nipple protrusion 65 which is formed by such liquid pressure is readily deformed by the pressure or sucking action of an infant receiving the nipple protrusion in its mouth and in contact with its jaws, this structure minimizes any deformation or injury which might be caused by less deformable nipples now in general use. The deformation of the nipple protrusion 65 by the action of the infant does not result in increasing the pressure exerted on the infants tissues as the nipple protrusion 65 is compressed by the infants mouth because of the substantially constant pres sure exerted by the fluid rather than the properties of the material of which the nipple is composed. Thus, many serious ailments resulting from undesirable forces exerted upon the infants body during its exercise of the instinctive sucking and feeding action, whether known or unknown, is minimized by the deformable nature of the nipple protrusion of the means 10 with its low, substantially constant pressure exerted upon its deformation by the infant.

A cover means is received over the bottom portion 46 of the structure means 40 for closing and protecting the bottom portion 20 of the container means 12 when the means 10 is not being used for dispensing the liquid contained therein. When the means 10 is to be used, the cover means 70 which is slideably received over the bottom portion 46 of the structure means 40 is readily removed to expose the nipple protuberance 65. The cover means 70 as shown in FIGURE 7 may also be made of a plastic material providing side Walls 72 with ends 74, 76 which are open for allowing the removal or positioning of a new container means 12 within the structure means 40 through the bottom portion 46 without the removal of the closure means 70. In order to position the cover means 70 when secured over the bottom portion 46 of the structure means 40, the bottom portion 46 is provided with an outer dimension which is reduced with respect to the upper portion 44 to provide a shoulder 78 for abutment by the end 74 of the closure means 70, as clearly illustrated in FIGURE 3. When the cover means 70 is thus positioned, it provides a support for resting the means 10 in its upright position on a substantially horizontal surface as shown in FIGURE 3.

The cover means 70 is dimensioned, so that its upper end 74 may be received over the clamp 52 engaging the top portion 44 of the structure means 40 for supporting the means 10 in its inverted position with its nipple protuberance 65 of the bottom portion 20 of the container means 12 extending upwardly. Supporting the means 10 in this position, as shown in FIGURE 7, may be desirable during the feeding of an infant when such feeding is interrupted and before the container means 12 is to be discarded at the end of the feeding.

The closure means 70 illustrated in FIGURE 8 is of a modified form, having its end 76 enclosed by a bottom portion 80 for completely enclosing the exposed bottom portion 20 of the container means 12.

FIGURE 9 illustrates in detail the right corner portion 32 of the container means 12 which has a region 34 sealed along the line 80 for preventing liquid from being received within this region 34. Thus, the region 34 which is sealed may be clamped with the structure means 40 by the securing element 58 and avoids leakage should the container means 12 be punctured thereby, and also acts to prevent contamination of the fluid within the container means 12.

FIGURES 10 and 11 illustrate in detail the manner in which the removable strip or tab element 71 is positioned over the opening 68 in the end 66 of the nipple protrusion 65 and the arrow 82 illustrates the action by which the element 71 may readily be removed for uncovering the opening 68 and allowing liquid to be dispensed therethrough.

The liquid dispensing means 10 described in detail provides a device allowing the sanitary dispensing of liquid to infants and children by the use of a disposable container means 12 providing convenience to the user as well as highly sanitary conditions. The nipple protuberance formed and having its contour deformably maintained by the pressure of the liquid contained within the container means 12 also provides an important feature conducive to the health and well-being of the infants and young children using this device. The device may also be readily manufactured, is unbreakable in nature, highly useful when traveling, and provides liquid in a sanitary manner for an unlimited number of feedings by the use of the disposable container means 12.

It will, of course, be understood that the description and drawings, herein contained, are illustrative merely, and various modifications and changes may be made in the structure disclosed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A liquid dispensing means for feeding infants com prising a collapsible container means provided with a top portion having an opening for receiving liquid and a bottom portion with a first corner providing a liquid dispensing nipple protuberance and a second corner, a resilient plastic outer structure means having a top portion and a bottom portion and an opening extending therethrough for removably receiving and securing said container means therein, the bottom portion of said structure means having a diagonally cutaway first corner region for exposing the nipple protuberance of said container means and an attaching element at its second corner region for releasably securing said structure means with said second corner portion of said container means, said container means having first and second flaps foldable apart over the top portion of said structure means for allowing said container means to be filled through its top opening with a liquid while secured and positioned within said structure means and subsequently folded together over the top portion of said structure means to enclose the top opening of said container means for sealing said liquid therewithin, and clamp means for releasably securing the folded flaps of said container means with said top portion of said structure means.

2. The means of claim 1 in which said second corner portion of said container means is provided with a sealed region which does not receive liquid therein; and the said attaching element of said structure means is a snap fastening means for engaging the sealed region of the second corner portion of said container means.

3. The means of claim 2 in which the nipple protuberance has its outer configuration deformably maintained by the pressure of the liquid within the container structure and includes an opening therethrough for dispensing liquid enclosed by removable sealing means.

4. The means of claim 3 in which the bottom portion of said structure means has a portion of reduced dimensions to provide a shoulder and including a cover means removably securable with by being slidably received over the bottom portion of said structure means in engagement with said shoulder for protecting the nipple protuberance of said container means.

5. The means of claim 4 in which said cover means is securable with the bottom portion of said structure means for supporting said dispensing means in its upright position and is removably securable with the top portion of said structure means for supporting said dispensing means in its inverted position.

6. The means of claim 5 in which said container means has walls of a thin sheet plastic material, said structure means is of tubular configuration and composed of a resilient plastic material, and said cover means has an enclosed end and tubular body of plastic material.

7. In a liquid dispensing means for feeding infants having a resilient plastic outer structure means having a top portion and a bottom portion and an opening extending therethrough, the bottom portion of said structure means having a diagonally cutaway first corner region and a second corner, a collapsible container means for being removably received and secured within said outer structure means provided with a top portion having an opening for receiving liquid and a bottom portion with a first corner providing a liquid dispensing nipple protuberance being exposed through the diagonally cutaway first corner region of said structure means and a second corner for releasable attach-ment with the second corner of said structure means, said container means having first and second flaps foldable apart over the top portion of said structure means for allowing said container means to be filled through its top opening with a liquid while secured and positioned within said structure means and subsequently folded together over the top portion of said structure means to enclose the top opening of said container means for sealing said liquidtherewithin.

8. The means of claim 7 in which said second corner portion of said container means has a sealed region which does not receive liquid therein provided for being engaged by a fastening means for releasably securing said container means with said structure means.

'9. The means of claim 8 in which the nipple protuberance of said container means includes an opening therethrough for dispensing liquid enclosed by removable sealing means.

10. The means of claim 9 in which said container means is substantially rectangular in form in its completely collapsed position and has side walls of a thin sheet plastic material, is substantially rectangular in form in its original unfilled condition and is deformable upon receiving a liquid therein responsive to the pressure of said liquid.

11. In a liquid dispensing means for feeding infants having a collapsible container means with a top portion having an opening for receiving liquid and a bottom portion with a first corner providing a liquid dispensing nipple protuberance and a second corner, a resilient plastic outer structure means having a top portion and a bottom portlon and an opening extending therethrough for removably receiving and securing therewithin a collapsible container means, the bottom portion of said structure means having a diagonally cutaway first corner region for exposing the nipple protuberance of said container means and an attaching element at its second corner region for releasably securing said structure means with said second corner portion of said container means.

12. The means of claim 11 in which said attaching element of said structure means comprises a snap fasten- 1ng means for engaging said container means.

13. The means of claim 12 including clamp means for releasably securing the top portion of said container means with the top portion of said structure means, and in which the bottom portion of said structure means has a portion of reduced dimensions to provide a shoulder and including cover means removably securable with by being slidably received over the bottom portion of said structure means in engagement with said shoulder for protecting the nipple protuberance of said container means.

14. The means of claim 13 in which said cover means is securable with the bottom portion of said structure means for supporting said dispensing means in its upright position and is removably securable with the top portion of said structure means for supporting said dispensing means in its inverted position.

15. The means of claim 14 in which said structure means is of tubular configuration and composed of a resilient plastic material, and said cover means has an enclosed end and a tubular body of plastic material receivable over the top and bottom portions of said structure means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,460,329 2/ 1949 Allen et a1. 21511 2,859,891 11/1958 Carkin 21511 2,881,935 4/1959 Garred 21511 2,939,598 6/1960 Donleavy 21511 3,117,874 1/1964 Horan 215--11 X 3,166,220 1/1965 Rabb et al. 222107 3,255,932 6/ 1966 Hunter et al 222105 X SAMUEL F. COLEMAN, Primary Examiner.

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