DE1203421B - Collapsible bag for breastfeeding equipment - Google Patents

Description

FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY

GERMAN

PATENT OFFICE

EDITORIAL

int. α .:

A 61 j

German class: 30 g - 9

Number: 1 203 421

File number: J 25746 IX d / 30 g

Filing date: April 29, 1964

Opening day: October 21, 1965

The invention relates to an improved flexible ever-ready bag for child breastfeeding equipment. In particular The invention relates to a collapsible ever-ready case that serves as a nursing bottle and is so constructed that the arrangement of the bag on a supporting holder is simplified on the a teat is attached to complete the breastfeeding unit and thus the inner surface of the bag is kept sterile before use.

Breastfeeding facilities with collapsible ever-ready bags for the intake of milk or other liquids that are fed to a child have become quite popular. The ever-ready bags are expediently in pre-sterilized Condition delivered and thrown away after a single use. This makes it unnecessary the sterilization that is required for the usual plastic or glass still bottles, which have to be used again. Such ever-ready cases are usually thin-walled plastic hoses that collapse when the contents of the liquid are withdrawn. They are not self-supporting designed and must be attached to a supporting holder on which a suction cup for closure the open end of the bag is attached. Constructions that are typical for such silent units, are in U.S. Patents 2604222,2624485 and 3,075,666. As explained in these patents, the bag is inside the supporting Ring or the cylindrical bottle holder arranged, and the open end of the bag is drawn over the mouth of the holder and down over the outer surface of the holder folded. The bottle is then filled and a teat is conveniently placed on the holder attached, whereby the open container mouth is closed.

For attaching the ready-to-use bottle to the supporting ring or the bottle holder while this is kept under sterile conditions, mechanical devices have been proposed, e.g., the bag applicator shown in U.S. Patent 2,900,779. The usage of mechanical means for the arrangement of the bag on the holder complicates the use the breastfeeding device and requires the sterilization of another part. Furthermore the possibility contamination in handling the mechanical applicator is increased. On the other hand, If you want to work by hand, the bag cannot be opened and grasped at the open end, Collapsible pocket for nursing equipment without letting your fingers enter the inside of the pouch

Applicant:

International Latex Corporation, Dover, Del.

(V. St. A.)

Representative:

Dr. F. Zumstein,

Dipl.-Chem. Dr. rer. nat. E. Assmann

and Dipl.-Chem. Dr. R. Koenigsberger,

Patent Attorneys, Munich 2, Bräuhausstr. 4th

Named as inventor:

Ira Dana Boynton, Lexington, Mass .;

George Alexander Wood, South Lincoln, Mass.

(V. St. A.)

Claimed priority:

V. St. v. America April 29, 1963 (276 259)

dirt when it is pulled over the mouth of the bottle holder.

Above all, the invention is directed to an ever-ready case such a structure that it can the bottle holder arranged without the use of mechanical devices and kept sterile at the same time can be. The advance of the device according to the invention is that on the mechanical Expander is dispensed with and a structure of a ready-to-use bottle is created that allows the Placing the pouch on the holder makes it easier while still ensuring that the inner surfaces of the pouch remain in a sterile state prior to use and during application.

The collapsible ready-to-use pouch according to the invention is in the form of a flattened one When not in use, it can expand to a tubular shape when it is filled. It has an openable end or mouth at one end, and is strip-like Extensions are integrally provided around a portion of the mouth of the pouch to allow the

509 718/1

To apply the bag over the edge of the holder. The strips are preferably opposite one another on the circumference and are of sufficient width to allow fingertips to grasp around the Pull the mouth of the bag over the lip of the holder without touching the sterile inner surfaces of the bag will.

The invention will now be described in more detail below with reference to the drawings, in which, for example, embodiments of the invention are shown, but the invention is not should restrict.

F i g. 1 is a schematic view of a ready-to-use pouch for a silent unit according to the invention;

F i g. Figure 2 is a schematic view showing how by hand the ready-to-use pouch is shown Using the strip extensions is applied by placing the mouth of the bag over the edge of the holder is pulled;

F i g. 3 shows in cross section - parts have been omitted - a breastfeeding device with the inventive device Ready-to-use bag inside the holder, filled with liquid and with a teat attached;

Fig. 4 is a schematic view showing the ever-ready case of the invention, the is made in the form of a continuous strip, the bags being releasable from one another;

F i g. 5 shows schematically another form according to which the ready-to-use bag according to the invention is in continuous, detachable strip shape are produced;

F i g. 6 is an enlarged view of a modified embodiment of the bag according to the invention; in which the strip extensions are formed by tearing off perforated corner sections will;

F i g. 7 is an enlarged view of the top of a ever-ready case, with a modified one perforated structure to form the strip extensions on the mouth of the ever-ready case shown at the time of use;

F i g. 8 is yet another modification of a ready-to-use pouch that can be individually wrapped and to remain in a sterile state until use, and

F i g. 9 is a section along line 9-9 of FIG. 8.

In Fig. 1 is a typical flexible, collapsible bag 10 made of suitable, thin plastic standard material shown, which may or may not be stretchable, with a sealed bottom 11, which is formed by a suitable heat seal 12. The bag has hose or Tubular in shape, and when not in use it is flat and suitable for roll packaging Very suitable production from a continuous strip. An open end 13 of the bag 10 has strip extensions 14 standing up on opposite sides of the circumference of the bag. One can also describe the bag as one with an open mouth having corners 15 cut away is, which in turn form upstanding strips 14 at the mouth of the bag. Perforations 16 can be provided at the base of the extensions 14, thereby allowing removal of the strips after that they have served their purpose is facilitated. This perforation line also serves as a reference line, whereby the ready-to-use bag is placed on the holder in practically the same position every time will. This will give uniform readings of the volume of the liquid where necessary Volume markings are made on the fixed holder.

Preferably the strips are sufficiently wide that they can be grasped between the fingers and a pull can be exercised on it, so

ίο that the mouth of the bag opens and a covering is facilitated over the edge of the holder. In general it will be considered expedient that the strips extend over more than half the circumference of the mouth of the bag, whereby a Opening is made easier. If two strips are provided, the cut-out parts 15 run over less than half of the bag mouth circumference. However, the strips can be made tighter, if three or more are distributed along the circumference, and an even pull on all strips opens the mouth of the bag, whereby the application can be carried out.

How easily the pouch provided with strips is applied to the holder is shown in FIG. 2 shown.

The bag 10 is inserted into the inside of the holder 1 through the open mouth 2. The strip 14 a on one side of the ready bag 10 is taken between the thumb and forefinger of the left hand and the strip 14 b between the thumb and forefinger of the right hand. A pull is applied to both strips to open the mouth of the bag and pull it over the edge of the bottle holder mouth 2, with the cut-out portion 15 between the strips, thereby facilitating the operation. The bag is pulled down over the outer peripheral surface of the bottle holder to a point where only the sterile inner surface of the bag forms the contact surface 17 (below the tear-off strip line A) over which a sterile teat 3 is placed. The teat is fairly easily placed on the bottle holder by turning the teat edge 5 (Fig. 3) upside down and then rotating it downward, whereby the bag 10 is clamped between the outer circumference of the holder and the inner circumference of the teat edge.

Fig. 3 shows the complete, filled and ready-to-use breastfeeding unit. The bag 10 preferably has a diameter such that, when liquid is filled, it grips the sides of the holder 1 in a relatively smooth or uncreased, stretched position. The strip tear line A can be arranged on the base line 6 of the suction edge 5. However, as shown in FIG. 3, it may be desirable to pull the bag further onto the outer circumference of the holder and to rotate the lower part of the mouth of the bag upwards around the outer circumference of the suction rim 5. Here, the bag helps to clamp the nipple in place, thereby avoiding unintentional removal of the nipple and spilling of the contents.

The bag according to the invention is suitable for manufacture in continuous strip form, so that it can be conveniently packaged in roll form for distribution. The roll shape is also advantageous for the sterilization of the bags inside the packaging. The role also maintains sterility opening the packaging, as each bag can be detached from the roll separately if this is done

required for use without removing the roller from the box or packaging will.

In Fig. 4 is an embodiment of the ready-to-use pouch according to the invention in continuous Strip shape shown. The bags 10 are manufactured as a continuous, extruded plastic tube, which is welded transversely under heat at spaced intervals 12, the intervals of desired bag length, and the strip will be across the width at 19 near each heat seal perforated, which makes it easier to detach individual bags from the strip. Like in the F i g. 4, cutouts 15 are formed in the strip, by which the extension strips 14 are created at the mouth of each bag, the perforation 16 are positioned across the bottom of the strip extensions 14 so that the strips quickly can be detached from the bag after placing the bag on the holder. A partial heat seal 18 can transversely to the bags 10 below the cut-out parts 15 to preserve the Sterility should be provided. Pulling on the sides of the bag opens this seal when the Bag.

In Fig. Figure 5 is another way of making ready-to-use pouches according to the invention in a continuous manner Strip shape shown without a closed hose or pipe, as in FIG. 4th shown, is extruded. A flat strip 20 of plastic, e.g. B. polyethylene or polypropylene, is folded over, whereby a closed edge 21 and an open edge 22 is formed will. The web then becomes suitable heat sealing or welding, cutting and perforating locations demonstrated where heat seals 23 transversely between the walls 24 and 25 of the web 20 at intervals, depending on the selected bag width. Perforation lines 26 become formed in each of the transverse heat welded zones 23, and on the open Corner 22 cutouts 30 along the perforation lines 26 in the transverse, welded Zones 23 formed. The cutouts 30 along the open edge of the folded strip 20 form in turn, the desired strip extensions 31 on opposite sides of the bag in the flat State. Since the bags are equipped with an unsealed or welded edge 22, the If the mouth leaves an open mouth for the bags, then partial welds 32 are preferably carried out below of the open mouth at the base line of the strip extensions 31 through, creating the interior of the pouch is maintained in a sterile state until the pouch is ready for use. Now becomes a individual pouches are released from the web or roll along a line of perforations 26 and the mouth of the pouch is opened tearing open the partial weld 32, after which the bag on the holder, as in FIG Fig. 2 is applied.

In the F i g. 6, 7 and 8 are preferably embodiments of the ready-to-use pouch shown at which the strips are actually formed at the time the individual pouch is ready for use is required by tearing off parts 15 which are releasably integral with the mouth part 13 of the bag 10 are made. In Fig. 6, the mouth of the bag has the usual transverse perforation line 19 for separating of the individual bag from strip or roll. However, instead of the cutouts 15 in the To manufacture the bags, the edges of the bag mouth (if they are in a flat state) simply formed with a perforation line, whereby the edge parts 15 are easy to remove from the bag 10, if required for use, are removable. If the edge parts are removed, so are the strip extensions 14 are configured to manually apply the bag to the holder.

According to FIG. 7 the bag has lines with relatively short perforations 35 which extend vertically downwards extend from the circumference of the mouth of the bag, creating common sides of the strips 14 and the separated parts 15 are formed. However, the perforation pattern of Fig. 7 has one almost completely cut-out bottom part 36, which is arched from the vertical perforation line 35 extends completely to the edge of the bag. Only a small connecting strip 37 is used to connect the lower To prevent the edge of the cutout 15 from folding over or moving. This almost fortified bottom edge allows easy separation when the corners 15 are pulled away. This construction allows it is also possible to use a bag without first removing the corner parts 15. The mouth of the bag is opened and pulled apart to be pulled over the lip of a retainer tear the perforations 35 on one side or the other of each corner part 15. The elongated cuts 36 allow a separation of the corner 15 without building up such tension that tears in the bag underneath of the tear line find their origin where the direction is changed. The very small connecting parts 37 break easily when the curved edge is stretched by pulling the mouth of the bag over the Edge of the holder is pulled. The corner parts 15 are therefore still on one or the other Strip 14 attached and removed when the strip is placed on the bag after the Holder is withdrawn. This eliminates the corner parts 15 and the strips 14 in one combined a single tear-off process, and the production of small loose parts from plastic the place for the instructions for use is saved.

The F i g. 8 and 9 show a bag design which is suitable for individual packaging. The bag 10 with the usual bottom weld 12 also has a protective cap 40 with a weld 41. If the pouch is intended to be used, the cap 40 is torn off along the perforation lines 42 is removed, creating an open mouth pouch and tab extensions 14.

Additionally, reinforcing or stiffening strips 43 can be placed near the top of the strips 14 may be provided, thereby opening the mouth of the bag and pulling it over the edge of the holder is facilitated. This is particularly advantageous when the mouth of the bag is used during the application process must be stretched.

The standby bag according to the invention is mainly suitable for use with breastfeeding units, as shown in U.S. Patent 3,075,666 in which the diameter of the plastic bag is slightly smaller than the outside diameter of the bottle holder, making the bag light must be stretched if it is over the mouth of the

Holder is pulled. This allows the pouch to tightly touch the lip of the holder, and wrinkles that leakage of the content are avoided.

The ready-to-use bottle according to the invention can also be used on common, customary nursing bottles suitable as an insert and for breastfeeding units as shown in US Pat. No. 2,624,485, where it may be desirable for the ready-bottle diameter to be larger than the outside diameter of the holder mouth is. In those cases where the nipple with the bottle and the bottle holder Connected by screw caps, there may be a slight wrinkling or folding of the bag over the edge of the holder without causing leakage.

The bottle can be made of a suitable, relatively flexible plastic or elastomeric material, such as described above, exist e.g. B. regenerated cellulose, polyvinylidene chloride, polyethylene, polypropylene, Mixing of polyethylene and polypropylene with different degrees of mixing, natural or synthetic rubber or other rubber-like or plastic materials, which provide suitable strength in the form of thin-walled bags.

Although it is a particular advantage of the invention that perforations at the baseline of the Strip extensions are provided on the ready-to-use bottle for removing the strips after they served their purpose of attaching the bottle to the holder, such perforations however, they are not essential to the invention. The strips can be attached to the body parts of the ever-ready case stay attached and simply surround the top of the holder below the nipple, or them can be turned up and shield the nipple and keep it sterile when the unit is used later use is stored.

Instead of the perforations, some form of weakened tear lines can be used, whereby the elimination of the strip or cut-out part is facilitated. Although cut out with advantage Parts 15 of considerable width and with curved bottom parts are provided, so the However, strips are preferably formed diametrically opposite the tubular bag through simple slits be. This is particularly satisfactory where the tension exerted at the bottom of the slots does not tear the plastic bag, e.g. B. where the bag diameter is larger than the holder diameter is.

The most varied modifications other than those mentioned here are known to those skilled in the art on the basis of Description and the claims are familiar and lie within the scope of the invention.

Claims (16)

Patent claims: 1. Flexible collapsible ready-to-go bag for a breastfeeding device, this one The pouch has an opening mouth portion at one end thereof and into a hollow carrier is introduced and wherein the mouth part over the edge of the carrier for attachment of a Sucker is drawn on it, characterized in that strip extensions are provided at the mouth of this bag in order to open and insert this bag by hand, without touching the inside surface of the bag below the strip extensions will. 2. Bag according to claim 1, characterized in that the strip extensions from Mouth part are detachable. 3. Bag according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the strip extensions are stiffened. 4. Bag according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the extensions Have gripping surfaces with which the mouth of the bag is opened by hand and over the Edge of the hollow carrier is pulled. 5. Bag according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bag usually in the flat state before use and that the parts of the mouth of the bag are determined by notch means for at least one segment that is from Bag mouth is releasable. 6. Bag according to claim 5, characterized in that the notch means a Series of relatively short perforations that form the vertical inner edge of the corner pieces determine the mouth of the bag, and that the bottom edge of the corner parts is substantially complete is separated from the bag body. 7. Bag according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the to opening mouth portion is formed by loosening a sealed end of the pouch. 8. Several flexible collapsible plastic bags in the form of continuous strips with a flattened, continuous, injected or extruded tube with cross seals between opposing walls at certain intervals, creating a closed End of a single bag is determined, characterized in that transverse Notch means are spaced from each transverse seal, whereby a Tear line between the closed end of a bag and the openable mouth of a adjacent bag is determined, and that integral strip extensions on this too Opening mouths are provided with which this bag is torn off by hand when individual is opened. 9. Row of bags according to claim 8, characterized in that at least one cut off Corner at the mouth of the bag is designed as a detachable, integral peripheral segment. 10. Row of bags according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that a temporary seal or seal is formed below the mouth of each individual pouch, removing the inside thereof prior to use is kept sterile. 11. A range of flexible plastic ready-to-use pouches in the form of a continuous strip, one strip folded lengthways is, whereby a closed edge is formed, which the closed bottom end parts represents for these bags and wherein an open edge determines the openable mouth of this bag and this folded strip at intervals spaced from one another along its length Has transverse seals between opposite ends that the sides of the individual pouches into determine this strip, characterized in that transverse perforation lines are provided within the boundaries of the transverse seals with which individual bags are peeled from the strip, and that cutout parts at the open edge of this folded strip with these perforation lines that form the strip extensions at the mouth of each individual pouch. 12. Row of bags according to claim 11, characterized in that intermittent welds or seals are formed below the strip parts on the mouth of the bag. 13. Ready bag according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the Bag is provided with a transverse seal (12) that is completely transverse to the Upper part of the bag extends and this closes that a transverse local The weakening line runs transversely to the upper part of the bag in order to enable a local separation, and that a second line of localized weakening in the longitudinal direction of the bag is a substantial one from the transverse line of weakness Piece of this transverse line of weakness runs downwards. 14. Ready bag according to claim 13, characterized in that the second line of weakness, which runs lengthways to the bag down from the transverse line of weakness, in an arc-shaped line of weakness ends, which runs laterally from this downward Line of weakness extends. 15. Row of bags according to spoke 8, characterized in that each bag with a line of weakness is provided which in the longitudinal direction of the bag from the transverse notch means a considerable distance of these transverse notches extending downward. 16. Row of bags according to claim 15, characterized in that the line of weakness in Lengthways of the bag down from the transverse notches extends, ends in an arcuate line of weakness, which laterally from this downwards extending line of weakness runs. 1 sheet of drawings 509 718/1 10.65 ® Bundesdruckerei Berlin