Abstract:
A feeding teat ( 40 ) constructed and arranged to be used on a bottle ( 52 ) that holds and dispenses a liquid to be fed to an infant or child. The teat ( 40 ) has a nipple portion ( 70 ) with an orifice ( 71 ) at a terminal end, and defines an interior profile shaped by intersecting reverse curves ( 75, 76 ) that generally decrease the interior diameter of the nipple portion ( 70 ) toward the orifice ( 71 ), so as to channel fluid flow into the orifice ( 112 ). There is a flange portion ( 66 ) constructed and arranged to be releasably coupled to the bottle ( 52 ) such that the liquid can flow from the bottle ( 52 ) into the teat ( 40 ), and a convexly shaped intermediate portion ( 80 ) integrally connecting the nipple portion ( 70 ) to the flange portion ( 66 ). A pressure relief valve ( 60 ) built into the teat ( 40 ) is constructed and arranged to admit air into the interior of at least one of the teat ( 40 ) and the bottle ( 52 ).

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    Feeding teats are placed on bottles that are used to feed infants and children. Turbulence in flow of liquid proximate the teat outlet (which is in the nipple of the teat) can cause the introduction of air bubbles which are then swallowed by the infant. Additionally, the amount of work (suction) required to draw the liquid from the teat can cause the infant to take in additional air by breaking the latch (seal between lips and outside of the teat). Regardless, air intake causes discomfort, and can be a source of “colic.” Also, in typical teats the contents of the liquid (minerals/vitamins and sometimes solids in solution or in a thin slurry) can settle or be pushed away from the liquid in the solution depending on the pattern of flow. 
         [0002]    When infants suck on typical teats they must learn to pause periodically to let air into the bottle so as to equalize the pressure in the bottle. This can cause frustration. Some teat designs include valves that are meant to channel air from outside (atmosphere) into the bottle during suck (negative pressure). This air may be kept away from the feeding zone and prevent a vacuum from forming in the bottle. The valves integrated into the teat add to the complexity and expense of the teat. Also, these valves may not be sufficiently functional. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    The teat disclosed herein may accomplish one or more of the following goals. It can reduce turbulent delivery of milk, formula or other feeding liquids to improve consistency. It can reduce turbulence so as to reduce cavitation, or the incorporation of air-bubbles that cause colic. It includes an anatomical nipple design that better simulates mother and way baby feeds from mother. It reduces the amount of work (suction) required by the infant to draw the fluid from the teat. 
         [0004]    The vent(s) in the teat keep air away from the nipple and keep fluid moving smoothly. In one embodiment the venting valve(s) are located in the region of the teat where it is coupled to the bottle. These valves can be formed in part by the teat and in part by the regions of the bottle that are contacted by these parts of the teat. In another embodiment the valve is molded directly into the teat and extends into its interior. 
         [0005]    The teat has a nipple that directs the liquid in a more laminar flow through and out of the teat, to reduce turbulence and areas of fluid stall in the liquid and thus inhibit air bubble integration and further inhibit the contents of the liquid from settling or being pushed away from the liquid. The system for relieving pressure in a feeding bottle with a teat may comprise one or more pressure relief valves incorporated at one or more locations of the teat. The valves may be accomplished between the inside surface of the bottle and the teat via an extension of the teat with its distal end resting against the inside surface of bottle. The teat can include multiple valves, e.g., two or three valves spaced about 180 or 120 degrees apart around the periphery of the teat, respectively. The valves may be in the base of the teat that is fitted onto the bottle. The teat may define an open undercut that leaves an area between the bottle and the teat open to the atmosphere, such that as the pressure inside the bottle drops, atmospheric pressure pushes the extension away from the bottle to allow air to flow into the bottle. 
         [0006]    This disclosure features a feeding teat constructed and arranged to be used on a bottle that holds and dispenses a liquid to be fed to an infant or child. The teat has a nipple portion having an orifice at a terminal end, and defining an interior profile shaped by intersecting reverse curves that generally decrease the interior diameter of the nipple portion toward the orifice, so as to channel fluid flow into the orifice, a flange portion constructed and arranged to be releasably coupled to the bottle such that the liquid can flow from the bottle into the teat, a convexly shaped intermediate portion integrally connecting the nipple portion to the flange portion, and a pressure relief valve constructed and arranged to admit air into the interior of at least one of the teat and the bottle. 
         [0007]    A first of the intersecting reverse curves can be concave relative to the interior of the teat, and a second reverse curve can be convex relative to the interior of the teat. The first curve may be farther from the orifice than the second curve. The interior profile of the nipple portion may further define a third curve that intersects the second curve, is concave relative to the interior of the teat and is closer to the orifice than the second curve. The third curve may transition into the orifice: this transition may or may not be direct, as there may be a fourth reverse curve that is directly adjacent to the orifice. 
         [0008]    The wall thickness of the teat may generally increase along the lengths of the first and second curves. The wall thickness may also decrease in a nipple portion proximal region where the nipple portion transitions into the intermediate portion. The proximal region may define an interior profile that is convexly curved. The intermediate portion of the teat may define an interior profile that is concavely curved. The intermediate portion interior profile may be concavely curved along substantially all of its length. 
         [0009]    The pressure relief valve may include generally parallel walls that project inwardly from the intermediate portion. The teat may be generally concentric about a centerline that lies along the orifice, and the pressure relief valve walls may be generally parallel to the centerline. The pressure relief valve walls may be spaced from each other and may be connected together at the lower ends by a transverse wall. The transverse wall may be slit. The slit may be made by a blade. The pressure relief valve may comprise two essentially parallel walls directed inwardly from the exterior wall of the teat. The valve walls may each be separated from the exterior wall of the teat by at least transverse walls that help to mechanically isolate the valve walls from the body of the teat. The transverse walls may be generally elliptical or circular. The valve walls may be connected at their distal ends by a short connecting wall that is slightly thinner than the valve walls. The connecting wall may define a generally arc-shaped (e.g., semi-circular) edge. 
         [0010]    The pressure relief valve may at least in part be located in the flange portion. The pressure relief valve may comprise a skirt projecting downwardly and outwardly from the inner part of the flange and constructed and arranged to rest against the sidewall of the bottle, and a channel in the underside of the flange that communicates with a volume between the skirt and the sidewall of the bottle. 
         [0011]    The teat may further include at least three spaced ribs on the inside surface of the teat. The ribs may comprise a first section in the intermediate portion of the teat and a second section in the nipple portion of the teat. The first section of the ribs may be generally radial and relatively wide, and the second section may be narrower and angled at from about 45 degrees to about 75 degrees relative to the teat centerline. 
         [0012]    Also featured herein is a feeding teat constructed and arranged to be used on a bottle that holds and dispenses a liquid to be fed to an infant or child, the teat comprising a nipple portion having an orifice at a terminal end, and defining an interior profile shaped by at least three intersecting reverse curves, wherein a first intersecting reverse curve is concave relative to the interior of the teat, a second reverse curve is convex relative to the interior of the teat, and a third reverse curve intersects the second curve and is concave relative to the interior of the teat, wherein the first curve is farther from the orifice than the second curve, and the third curve is closer to the orifice than the second curve and transitions into the orifice. The curves generally decrease the interior diameter of the nipple portion toward the orifice, so as to channel fluid flow into the orifice. The wall thickness of the teat generally increases along the lengths of the first and second curves, and decreases in a nipple portion proximal region where the nipple portion transitions into the intermediate portion, wherein the proximal region defines an interior profile that is convexly curved. The teat also comprises a flange portion constructed and arranged to be releasably coupled to the bottle such that the liquid can flow from the bottle into the teat, and a convexly shaped intermediate portion integrally connecting the nipple portion to the flange portion. The intermediate portion defines an interior profile that is concavely curved along substantially all of its length, and a pressure relief valve constructed and arranged to admit air into the interior of the teat, wherein the pressure relief valve includes generally parallel walls that project inwardly from the intermediate portion, wherein the teat is generally concentric about a centerline that lies along the orifice and the pressure relief valve walls are generally parallel to the centerline, are spaced from each other and are connected together at the lower ends by a transverse wall with an opening through it, to allow the passage of air. 
         [0013]    Further featured herein is a feeding teat constructed and arranged to be used on a bottle that holds and dispenses a liquid to be fed to an infant or child, the teat comprising a nipple portion having an orifice at a terminal end, and defining an interior profile shaped by at least three intersecting reverse curves, wherein a first intersecting reverse curve is concave relative to the interior of the teat, a second reverse curve is convex relative to the interior of the teat, and a third reverse curve intersects the second curve and is concave relative to the interior of the teat, wherein the first curve is farther from the orifice than the second curve, and the third curve is closer to the orifice than the second curve and transitions into the orifice. The curves generally decrease the interior diameter of the nipple portion toward the orifice, so as to channel fluid flow into the orifice. The wall thickness of the teat generally increases along the lengths of the first and second curves, and decreases in a nipple portion proximal region where the nipple portion transitions into the intermediate portion, wherein the proximal region defines an interior profile that is convexly curved. There is a flange portion constructed and arranged to be releasably coupled to the bottle such that the liquid can flow from the bottle into the teat, and a convexly shaped intermediate portion integrally connecting the nipple portion to the flange portion. The intermediate portion defines an interior profile that is concavely curved along substantially all of its length. There is a pressure relief valve constructed and arranged to admit air into the interior of the teat, wherein the pressure relief valve comprises a skirt projecting downwardly and outwardly from the inner part of the flange and constructed and arranged to rest against the sidewall of the bottle, and a channel in the underside of the flange that communicates with a volume between the skirt and the sidewall of the bottle. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]      FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a feeding teat. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  shows the teat of  FIG. 1  on a bottle. 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a bottom perspective view of the teat of  FIG. 1  showing the construction that accomplishes a pressure relief valve. 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a greatly enlarged view of the teat of  FIG. 1 , but with a slightly different pressure relief valve construction. 
           [0018]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  are side and cross-sectional views of a second embodiment of a feeding teat. 
           [0019]      FIGS. 6A and 6B  are different side and cross-sectional views of the second embodiment of a feeding teat. 
           [0020]      FIGS. 7A-7D  are side, cross-sectional and two partial close-up views of the second embodiment of a feeding teat. 
           [0021]      FIGS. 8A-8C  are side, cross-sectional and a partial close-up views of the second embodiment of a feeding teat. 
           [0022]      FIGS. 9A-9C  are side, cross-sectional and a partial close-up views of the second embodiment of a feeding teat. 
           [0023]      FIGS. 10A-10C  are top, side and perspective views of another embodiment of a feeding teat. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0024]    Teat  40  with nipple  70 ,  FIGS. 1-3 , directs the milk/liquid in a relatively laminar flow through and out of the nipple through outlet  71 . Teat  40  can be an integral molded item that is typically made from medical grade silicone of 30-40 durometer. The laminar flow into the outlet is in part accomplished by the interior profile of wall  73  that smoothly steps the diameter down to terminal portion  74  and through opening  71 . The interior shape  79  of teat  40  as a whole includes concave interior surface  81  of intermediate teat portion  80  that has a convex exterior shape. Nipple proximal region  72  has a convex interior shape  78 . First interior nipple portion wall curve  75  is concave, second interior wall curve  76  is convex and third interior wall curve  77  is concave. The series of two or more reverse curves accomplishes a gradual narrowing of the interior diameter, which accomplishes a more laminar flow than a typical nipple with a single concave wall that leads to the orifice/outlet. This reduces turbulence in the liquid and thus inhibits air bubble integration. This will also inhibit the contents of the liquid (e.g., foodstuffs, minerals/vitamins) from settling or being pushed away from the liquid in the solution. Also, the wall  73  proximate orifice or opening  71  that generally increases in thickness from the proximal region toward the outlet provides more stiffness proximate opening (valve)  71 , thus the valve functions more effectively to inhibit leakage. Also, because neck or nipple proximal region  72  is thinner, when an infant sucks on nipple  70 , region  72  can flex, which allows the stiffer nipple to be drawn into the mouth more naturally, to mimic actions that take place when an infant feeds from its mother. 
         [0025]      FIGS. 1-3  also illustrate an embodiment of a pressure relief valve  60  incorporated into teat  40 . One or more such valves can be incorporated. In this embodiment the valves are accomplished between the upper wall  52  of the bottle to which the teat is attached (which can be any standard bottle and so is not fully shown in the drawings) and the teat  40 , via integral annular teat extension or skirt  62  with its distal end resting against the inside surface of wall  52 . Integral annular teat flange  66  defines open undercut  64  that leaves volume  53  between the bottle and the teat open to the atmosphere. As the pressure inside the bottle drops, atmospheric pressure pushes skirt  62  at the location of open volume  53  away from the bottle to allow air to flow into the bottle. Skirt  62  is deformable (e.g., by being made from an elastomer such as silicone, and due to its mechanical design, its flexibility, and the manner in which it contacts the bottle). Air is thus channeled from outside (atmosphere) into the bottle during suck (negative pressure). This air is kept away from the feeding zone (the valves are at the end of the teat farthest from the outlet opening in the nipple), and allows the prevention of a vacuum in the bottle. This also allows for one shot molding of the teat and does not rely on post-processing (e.g., a knife slit) of the material to create the valve. 
         [0026]      FIG. 4  depicts an alternative embodiment of the valve  60   a  in teat  40   a , wherein extension or skirt  62   a  has a more parabolic shape as opposed to the straight extension  62  shown in  FIGS. 1-3 . This shape may create a better seal against bottle neck  52 . The skirt can take other shapes and be constructed differently so as to accomplish a good liquid tight seal that will deflect slightly so as to allow air into the bottle when a sufficient negative pressure is reached inside the bottle. 
         [0027]    In teat  40 , air flows in from outside of the bottle to neutralize pressure. The bottle neck insert on the teat acts as valve. Multiple valves can be spaced around the periphery of the base or flange of the teat, typically but not necessarily evenly spaced around the periphery. For example, two valves located 180 degrees from each other or three valves located 120 degrees from one another. The one piece molded teat has a valve mechanism that is not very compression sensitive so can be coupled to the bottle like a normal teat without a valve in its flange. 
         [0028]      FIGS. 5-9  illustrate a second embodiment. Teat  100  includes nipple portion  102  with outlet orifice  112 , intermediate portion  104 , flange portion  106  that is adapted to be coupled to a bottle, and pressure relief valve  110 . As with the first embodiment, teat  100  is integrally molded from silicone. Feed hole  112  can be created in the molding process or can be created post-molding with a mechanical punch or a laser. For slow feed rates of 6-12 ml/minute hole  112  is typically from about 0.25 to about 0.53 mm in diameter  124 . For intermediate feed rates of 9-19 ml/minute hole  112  is typically from about 0.46 to about 0.65 mm in diameter. For fast feed rates of 17-25 ml/minute hole  112  is typically from about 0.58 to about 0.77 mm in diameter. Feed rates were determined with water. 
         [0029]    Valve  100  comprises flexible parallel walls  161  and  162  connected at their lower ends by transverse wall  163 , which is slit so as to provide a path for air to enter the inside of the teat. The slit  132  in lower valve wall  163  is created by a blade and rigging fixture. The slit is nominally set to a width of 5 mm±0.5 mm. The curved lower wall  163  of the valve increases its stiffness and thus decreases the chances of fluid leakage, as compared to a linear wall. Vertical wall  164  locates wall  165  sufficiently offset from teat wall  189  such that walls  165  and  166  are at the same depth. Curved (typically circular or elliptical) transverse walls  165  and  166  serve to separate the pressure-sensitive walls  161  and  162  that are part of the valve from the main body of the teat. This means that the thin, sensitive walls  161  and  162  are not affected or at least less affected by stretching or twisting of the teat in use than would be the case if walls  161  and  162  were directly connected to main wall  189  of the teat. This makes the valve function better under typical usage scenarios where the teat is stretched and twisted in use. It may be possible to change the sensitivity of the valve even more by making a valve with a different durometer, or out of a different material than the rest of the teat, in a two-shot molding process. Silicone and many other thermoplastic elastomers will stick together over time after they have been slit. This may require the user to pinch the valve before use to assure that it is “open” and functional. Using a different material that does not stick to this extent over time could resolve this potential issue. 
         [0030]    As in the first embodiment, the nipple portion is designed to accomplish a relatively laminar flow into the orifice. The terminal part of the nipple portion defines interior wall  200 . First curve  202  is concave. Second curve  206  is convex. Third curve  210  is concave. Fourth curve  214  (which leads directly into orifice  112 ) is convex. This series of four reverse curves accomplishes a smoothly-decreasing interior diameter that supports laminar flow into orifice  112 . Teat wall  191  generally increases in thickness from portion  72  and along at least part of wall  206 , up to where walls  210  and  214  are located. This helps to maintain the stiffness of the nipple in the portion that delivers the fluid. 
         [0031]    In one non-limiting embodiment that illustrates the disclosure, the radii of curvature and dimensions of a teat of the type shown in  FIGS. 5-9  are as follows. Note that the radii and dimensions are adjustable, subject to finite element analysis to determine that the flow is relatively laminar. On average, the radii can be defined as about ±0.5 mm for smaller radii to as much as about ±1 mm for larger radii. Distance variation can be more liberal, likely as much as plus 3 mm more. 
         [0032]    Radius 122: 0.750 mm 
         [0033]    Radius 131: 13.53 mm 
         [0034]    Radius 133: 5.52 mm 
         [0035]    Radius 134: 4.5 mm 
         [0036]    Radius 135: 30 mm 
         [0037]    Radius 136: 1 mm 
         [0038]    Radius 142: 2 mm 
         [0039]    Radius 174: 0.25 mm 
         [0040]    Radius 182: 0.25 mm 
         [0041]    Radius 188 (4 places): 0.500±0.025 mm 
         [0042]    Radius 204: 2 mm 
         [0043]    Radius 208: 2.471 mm 
         [0044]    Radius 212: 1.042 mm 
         [0045]    Radius 216: 0.750 mm 
         [0046]    Dimension 130: 5.500 mm 
         [0047]    Dimension 132 (the width of the slit  132  in curved lower wall  163  of valve  110 ): 5 mm 
         [0048]    Dimension 138: 2.134 mm 
         [0049]    Dimension 139: 9±0.025 mm 
         [0050]    Dimension 140: 44±0.127 mm 
         [0051]    Dimension 144: 1.87 mm 
         [0052]    Dimension 146: 60.50 mm 
         [0053]    Dimension 150: 1 mm 
         [0054]    Dimension 152: 2 mm 
         [0055]    Dimension 154: 12.25 mm 
         [0056]    Dimension 170: 3.800±0.127 mm 
         [0057]    Dimension 172: 1±0.025 mm 
         [0058]    Dimension 176: 0.600±0.025 mm 
         [0059]    Dimension 178: 0.500±0.025 mm 
         [0060]    Dimension 180: 5±0.025 mm 
         [0061]    Dimension 184: 5.72 mm 
         [0062]    Dimension 186 (2 places): 0.600±0.025 mm 
         [0063]    Dimension 222: 1.757 mm 
         [0064]    Dimension 224: 0.617 mm 
         [0065]    Dimension 226: 0.633 mm 
         [0066]    Dimension 228: 0.250 mm 
         [0067]    Quantitative tests were run on teat  100  as compared to two standard teats with a single concave internal nipple wall leading to the orifice. For a given mass flow rate out of the teat, the required pressure vacuum to be created by the infant was at least 26% less than the other two designs, meaning that the child needs to expend less energy to obtain the same amount of milk/liquid. Also the child will experience less frustration during feeding, as flow comes easier. The two standard designs required 36% and 78% greater pressure drop to maintain the same flow rate of 2e-4 kg/sec. as compared to teat  100 . Standard data establish that the peak negative vacuum that can be developed in an infant&#39;s mouth is about 145±58 mm Hg. At 145 mm Hg the subject teat delivered 16.6 cc/min as compared to 12.5 and 14.2 cc/min for the two standard designs. 
         [0068]      FIG. 10A-10C  show the optional addition of three (or more—potentially four or five) internal ribs  312 - 314  that run from the intermediate portion  308  of teat  300  into the nipple portion  306 . Valve  304  is shown. The ribs help to maintain an open flow path even if the infant bites down on the teat. Rib portion  321  that lies along the inside wall of intermediate portion  308  is generally radial with respect to the teat centerline (a vertical line running through orifice  310 , coming directly out of the page in  FIG. 10A ), while inflection location  323  alters the direction of portion  332  to one that is angled along the inside of the nipple proximal portion; this configuration prevents the nipple from fully collapsing if it is bitten down on by the infant. The angle of upper portion  332  relative to the teat centerline is typically between about 45 degrees and about 75 degrees; an angle of about 65 degrees is illustrated. The ribs are typically about 5 mm wide at their widest (closest to flange  302 ) and taper to about 2 mm-4 mm at the top. The height or protrusion of the ribs from the interior wall is typically 2 mm±1 mm.; at their widest point they gradually decrease in height so as to end flush with the interior wall. The ribs allow for the teat to stretch into the child&#39;s mouth during a suck, while preventing the base of the teat from collapsing or kinking inward under a stretch force as the child sucks on the nipple. This inward stretch is similar to the action of the nipple of a breast during breastfeeding. 
         [0069]    Other embodiments will occur to those skilled in the field and are within the scope of the claims.