Improved feeding device (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)

064 926 U

DESCRIPTION

Improved feeding device.

Object of the invention

The present application for a Utility Model has as its object the registration of an improved feeding device that incorporates notable innovations and advantages over others already known.

More specifically, the invention refers to an improved feeding device, in particular for babies or people who have some type of specific disability that allows feeding through the mouth without the fear of choking on the part of the user.

Background of the invention

It is well known that food in a liquid state can be delivered to a very young child by means of a bottle that is provided with a nipple that holds it in place with an intermediate closure ring that has internal threaded portions. After the liquid, such as juice, milk or any other food in liquid state, has been completely supplied, the intermediate sealing ring is unscrewed from the top of the bottle so that all these components can be washed with relative ease.

After a period of approximately six to eight months from the birth of the child, the mother or caregiver begins to substitute the use of the aforementioned nipple for the use of the spoon, although sometimes it can be difficult, so there is a transition period or adaptation to move from one medium to another. It is at this time of transition when there is a greater risk of the child choking on a semi-solid or solid food.

The owner is aware of a feeding device that allows food or pieces of food to be contained inside a bag in order to be introduced into the person's mouth, avoiding any situation of suffocation or choking. However, this known device has the main drawback that the bag is integrally attached to a rigid body that is subsequently coupled to the handle, so that in case of replacement of the bag or container, it must be made together with said body. rigid in such a way that it increases the cost of the possible replacement of the bag.

Description of the invention

The present invention has been developed in order to provide an improved feeding device, in particular for babies or people with disabilities through the mouth that solves the aforementioned drawbacks, also providing other additional advantages that will be evident from the description that follows.

It is the object of the invention to provide an improved feeding device, in particular for use in babies or people with disabilities to feed through the mouth without choking by the user, characterized by the fact that said device comprises a handle which has a threaded portion at one of its ends; a food accommodation container made of mesh material with an opening at one end; an intermediate closure ring having a threaded portion intended to engage the threaded portion of the handle, having clamping means located on the inner surface of the intermediate closure ring to securely fit the container for the accommodation of food in said intermediate closing ring, said holding means comprising an internal perimeter groove in which the annular means of said container are housed, and wherein said elongated container is capable of being separated from said intermediate closure ring.

According to another advantageous aspect of the device of the invention, the container for housing food has a semi-rigid annular section at the opening.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the intermediate sealing ring is made of a rigid material. According to another embodiment, the intermediate closing ring can also be made of a semi-rigid plastic material.

Preferably, the inner perimeter groove is located at one end of the inner surface of the intermediate sealing ring.

With respect to the handle again, it has a base section with a substantially circular contour from which the threaded portion protrudes, the diameter of the base section being greater than the outer diameter of the threaded portion.

On the other hand, the aforementioned intermediate closing ring has in the section oriented towards the handle a perimeter projection with a greater diameter than said base of the handle.

This device allows the supply of semi-solid food, such as bread, pieces of boiled potato, certain cereals, fruits, etc., being advantageously intended for young children as well as those who suffer some type of dysfunction or mental impairment or physical difficulties in using a spoon or fork on their own, without fear of choking. Furthermore, the container containing the food is easily replaceable with a new one and for washing operations it is very practical since the different parts of the device can be disassembled quickly and easily.

It should also be noted that according to the device described herein, an important feature is that the mesh container does not directly engage the threaded portions of the intermediate locking ring or handle.

Other characteristics and advantages of the improved feeding device, in particular for babies or people with disabilities through the mouth object of the present invention will be apparent from the description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment that is illustrated by way of Non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Brief description of the drawings

Figure 1.- Shows a side elevation view partially in section of an improved feeding device according to the present invention that allows the administration of certain foods through the mouth in a safe way, in which the assembly of the different parts;

Figure 2.- Shows an enlarged perspective view of the intermediate closing ring; Y

Figure 3.- Shows an exploded elevation view of the previously represented feeding device.

ES 1 064 926 U

Description of a preferred embodiment

As shown in Figure 1, the feeding device of the present invention is intended, in particular, for babies, young children or people with some type of disability who have difficulties to be fed, so that it allows the taking of semi-solid food through the mouth without the fear of choking by the user.

Said device is referenced as a whole with (1) and is essentially constituted by a handle (2) that has at one of its ends a threaded portion (3), an elongated container (4) for housing food made of material of fine mesh with an opening (5) in one of the ends of the container (4) and finally an intermediate closing ring (6) located between said handle (2) and said elongated container (4). Regarding the size of the container (4), it is not limited to any one in particular, although it can preferably have a length equivalent to two or three times the diameter of the opening (5) thereof.

With particular reference to the intermediate closing ring (6), it has an opening (7) at one end, an internally threaded portion (8) intended to engage with the threaded portion (3) of the handle (2) at the opposite end, also having fastening means located on the inner surface of the intermediate closing ring (6), close to the opening (7), to hold by means of a hermetic coupling by fit the container (4) for the accommodation of food in said intermediate closing ring (6). More in particular, said fastening means are formed by an internal perimeter groove (9) in which the annular means of said container (4) are housed, said annular means of the container (4) consisting of a ring (10) of material semi-rigid.

Said handle (2) is usually made, preferably, of a plastic material, which has the ability to withstand sterilization temperatures for many times without noticeable deterioration, thus extending the useful life of the handle (2).

Likewise, the aforementioned intermediate closing ring (6) has in the section that is oriented towards the handle (2) a perimeter projection (11) with a larger diameter than the base (12) of the handle (2), thus wrapping the said base (12) when the intermediate closing ring (6) is fitted at the end of the handle (2).

As can be seen more clearly in figure 3, the opening (7) of the intermediate closing ring (6) has a smaller diameter than the diameter of the semi-rigid ring (10) of the container (4) that houses the food, in such a way that it prevents the annular means from going through the opening of the intermediate closing ring (6).

For the cleaning operation of the different parts of the feeding device (1), that is, the handle (2), the container (4) and the intermediate closing ring (6), it is enough to unscrew the handle (2) with respect to to the intermediate closing ring (6) and, on the other hand, manually separating the container (4) from the intermediate closing ring (6).

The size of the cavities of the mesh of the food container (4) used in the given example can be chosen according to the physical size and health of the person who must use it. Usually, a relatively small mesh will be used for consumption by small children or babies while a larger mesh can be used for the feeding of adults with a physical or mental handicap.

With reference to the use of the feeding device (1), it is enough for the user to place the elongated container (4) in his mouth, where the food placed inside will dissolve in the person's mouth without the danger of suffering. a choking caused by food.

The details, shapes, dimensions and other accessory elements, as well as the materials used in the manufacture of the improved feeding device, in particular for babies or people with disabilities through the mouth of the invention may be conveniently replaced by others that are technically equivalent and do not depart from the essentiality of the invention or the scope defined by the claims included below.