Improvements in Nursing-nipples.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 12th Dec., 1899-Accepted, 13th Jan., 1900
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Nursing-nipples.
I, HERBERT JOHN HADDAN, of the Firm of Herbert Haddan & Co., of 18,
Buckingham Street, Strand, W.C., London, Consulting Engineer, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention, a communication to me from abroad by
Christian William Meinecke, of 257, Greenwich Street, Borough of Manhattan,
New York City, United States of America, Merchant, and in what manner the
same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement:-
In the use of nursing nipples annoyance is caused by the collapsing of the
nipple due to the formation of a fold over the perforation the result of which is
that the pressure of the air caused by the suction holds the perforation closed.
It is impossible to locate only one or two holes so that this annoyance will not
occur. Stiffening the nipple will in some degree prevent such collapse but such
stiffening not only adds to the cost but as the nipple becomes older or softer the
line across the perforation becomes a line of weakness and the folding and
collapsing readily occur.
By using three complete perforations placed out of alignment with one another
as for example in form of an equilateral triangle on a plane at right angle to
the length of the nipple and a short distance from the point, the nipple is pre-
vented from collapsing or from remaining collapsed as for example after its
sides have been bit or pressed together. The number of perforations should of
course be limited to prevent an overabundant discharge of milk or fluid but three
holes placed out of alignment as stated have been found to give satisfactory
results.
This invention is illustrated in the annexed drawing in which :-
Fig. 1 is a plan view of the nipple.
Fig. 2 is a sectional side elevation of Fig. 1.
The nipple comprises the inlet portion 1, 2 adapted to engage a bottle mouth,
the neck portion 2, 3 and the mouth piece or bulb or discharging part 4, and is
provided with a single milk passage, as shown in the drawings. The discharge
openings or perforations 5, three in number are arranged out of alignment with
one another as stated.
These three non-aligned holes leading from a single milk passage prevent the
nipple remaining collapsed and as said holes are located somewhat away from
the apex or top point of the bulb 4, there is less danger of strangulation and a
more thorough mixing of the saliva with the milk before it reaches the stomach,
as the milk passes into the mouth in laterally flowing streams, and not directly
as would result from an opening at the apex of the bulb.
By making the perforations sufficiently small such tri-perforated nipple will
not discharge the milk more rapidly than is required and in case the nipple is
collapsed or folded across two of the perforations as by a vacuum in the bottle
the third perforation will allow the entrance of air for opening or spreading the
nipple.

page_text: 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. As a new article of manufacture a nursing nipple provided with a single
milk passage, three non-aligned perforations leading therefrom, substantially as
described.
2. As a new article of manufacture a nursing nipple provided with a single
milk passage, three non-aligned perforations leading therefrom and placed clear
of the apex of the nipple, substantially as described.