Improvements in Nursing Nipples.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 31st Aug., 1897-Accepted, 23rd Oct., 1897
VI DVITIV
Improvements in Nursing Nipples.
A communication to me from FRANCIS R. MCDERMOTT, of 305, Carroll Street,
Brooklyn, King's County, New York, in the United States of America,
Manufacturer.
I, EDMUND EDWARDS, of the Firm of Edwards and Co., Patent Agents and
Engineers, of 65 and 66, Chancery Lane, London, do hereby declare the nature
of this invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particu-
larly described and ascertained in and by the following statement, and
accompanying drawing, that is to say:-
This invention relates to nursing nipples, and in particular to an improvement
in the construction of nursing nipples by which the collapse of the nipple when
in use may be prevented and a passage for air and milk maintained at all times;
and the invention consists in the novel construction of the nipple.
The object of the invention is to so construct nursing nipples that collapse of
the nipple to such an extent as to shut off the passage of air or the flow of milk,
when the nipple is in use, may be entirely prevented, without rendering the nipple
difficult to clean, and without rendering it expensive in construction.
This object is attained in the nursing nipple herein described and illustrated
in the drawings which accompany and form a part of this specification, in which
the same reference numerals indicate the same or corresponding parts, and in
which:-
Figure 1 is a side view of the improved nipple, and Figure 2 is a longitudinal
section thereof, showing the spiral stiffening rib.
In the use of nursing nipples, in the past, trouble has been experienced because
of the tendency of the nipple to collapse when in use, shutting off the flow of
milk and preventing the passage of air. The effect of this collapse, and the
efforts of the child to draw milk through the nipple, after the collapse, is to
cause colic. It is important, therefore, that the nipple shall be so constructed that
collapse cannot take place when it is in use. The collapse of the nipple, which
is of rubber and is elastic, is due to the combined effect of the pressure of the
gums of the child upon it, and to the suction produced by the child. To prevent
collapse, nipples have been constructed with circular stiffening ribs, and also with
straight longitudinal ribs. Neither of these constructions is entirely effective, or
will prevent somewhat frequent collapse of the nipple. If the gums of the child
press upon the nipple between two circular ribs or beyond the ribs, they are
likely to press the sides of the nipple together so tightly as to prevent the passage
of milk or air. Moreover, the circular ribs interfere with the proper cleaning of
the nipple, if this cleaning is done with a swab.
The straight longitudinal ribs also fail to prevent, at all times, collapse of the
nipple, because between them the rubber is not supported or stiffened.
The nipple herein described differs from former nipples in that, instead
of having circular or longitudinal stiffening ribs, it is provided with one or
more continuous internal spiral stiffening ribs extending from the neck to the

page_text: head of the nipple. The use of the spiral rib is found to entirely prevent the
collapse of the nipple, and the shutting off of the passage of milk and air, because
wherever the child's gums may press upon the nipple they are sure to press
upon a portion of the spiral rib, and along the sides of this rib there are sure
to be passages for air and milk. The spiral ribs, also, do not interfere with the
cleaning of the nipple by the use of a swab, as the swab may be given a spiral
motion, and will then reach every portion of the internal surface of the nipple.
The construction of the nipple is clearly shown in the accompanying drawing.
1 is the nipple, which is of the ordinary form and construction, except that it
is provided with one or more internal spiral ribs 2 extending from the neck to the
head of the nipple. These ribs are formed in the moulding of the nipple. The
nipple is moulded inside out, the mould being provided with grooves corresponding.
to the spiral rib to be formed. When taken from the mould, therefore, the rib
is outside. The nipple is then turned or reversed, so as to bring the rib on the
inside.
The cost of making the nipple, aside from the first cost of the mould, is but
little, if at all, greater than the cost of making the ordinary plain nipple.
The nipple may be provided with one or more of the spiral stiffening ribs, as
may be thought preferable. The nipple shown in the drawing has but one rib.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:-
1. The herein described nursing nipple, formed of elastic material, and provided
with one or more continuous spiral stiffening ribs extending along the body of
the nipple from the neck to the head thereof, by which the collapse of the nipple
may be prevented and a passage through the nipple maintained at all times,
substantialy as described.
2. The herein described nursing nipple formed of elastic rubber, and having a
continuous internal spiral stiffening rib formed integrally with it and extending
along the body of the nipple from the neck to the head thereof, by which the
collapse of the nipple may be prevented, and a passage through the nipple main-
tained at all times, substantially as described."
Dated this 31st day of August 1897.
EDWARDS & Co.,
65 and 66, Chancery Lane, London, Agents for the Applicant.