Improvements in Teats for Feeding Bottles and the like.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 24th Dec., 1895-Accepted, 28th Mar., 1896
Improvements in Teats for Feeding Bottles and the like.
I, ROBERT LUTTON SHUTE, a citizen of the United States of America,
residing at 27 Catalpa Place, Chicago, in the County of Cook, and State of
Illinois, U.S.A., Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and
in what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement :-
My invention relates to certain improvements in teats for feeding bottles and
the like, such as are used upon nursing bottles, and similar vessels and the purpose
of the improvement is to first prevent collapse of the nipple in the child's mouth,.
and second, to gain certain other advantages which will be stated below.
To such an end, my invention consists in a removable plug of novel form for
insertion in the nipple, and capable of novel combination with the latter and the
bottle.
The drawings show, in Figure 1, a side elevation of a nursing bottle with the
nipple in longitudinal diametrical section to show the plug, in Figure 2, a similar
view with the nipple in a different position, in Figure 3, a longitudinal diametrical
section of the nipple in a plane at right angles to that seen in Figure 1, in
Figure 4, an end view of my removable plug and in Figure 5 a cross section of
the same in plane 5-5 of Figure 3.
The bottle and nipple are shown at A and B, and may, of course, be of any
desired construction. To prevent the collapse of the nipple in the child's mouth
and the consequent shutting off of the flow of the milk, I provide for insertion
into the nipple a removable plug C, which I prefer to make of substantially the
shape here shown, the same consisting of a head, a, a neck, a', and a base a²..
The head and tail I have shown as flattened in directions at right angles to each
other and the tail in a form resembling somewhat a fish tail and of sufficient
breadth to prevent it from passing through the neck of the bottle. The head
distends the outer end of the nipple and gives the child a good hold thereon, the
neck prevents the collapse of the remaining portion of the nipple, and the tail
besides preventing the plug from falling into the bottle, enables the nipple to be
directed in a convenient angle from the bottle to permit the child to hold it in its
mouth when lying down. This use is illustrated in Figure 2, and is accomplished
by merely turning the plug on one side in the direction of the greatest breadth of
the fish tail and allowing one angle of the same to partially enter the neck of the
bottle.
The plug is provided with suitable passages to enable the milk to flow with.
perfect freedom. The form or arrangement of the same is immaterial. I have
shown grooves in the surface of the plug and prefer that form on account of the
ease with which they may be cleaned.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. The combination in a nipple adapted for use upon a nursing bottle or similar
vessel, of a removable plug adapted for insertion within the nipple and extending
substantially from end to end thereof, said plug being provided with suitable-

page_text: passages for the flow of the milk and having a head adapted to distend the outer
end of the nipple, a neck extending therefrom toward the bottle to prevent the
collapse of the remaining portion of the nipple and an enlarged base portion to
prevent the plug from falling into the bottle; substantially as described.
2. The combination with a nipple adapted for use upon a nursing bottle, of a
removable plug provided with suitable passages for the milk, said plug having
a portion adapted to extend into and prevent the collapse of the nipple, and a
broadened and flattened base having comparatively sharp angles whereby the
nipple may be held at a given angle to the bottle by forcing it to one side until one
of these angles enters the neck of the bottle.
Dated this 23rd day of December 1895.
CRUIKSHANK & FAIRWEATHER,
Chartered Patent Agents,
62 St. Vincent Street, Glasgow, Agents for the Applicaut.