GB987907A - Improvements in and relating to artificial teats or nipples for use in the feeding of infants or domesticated animals - Google Patents

Abstract

987,907. Feeding bottles. MESSINES DEVELOPMENTS Ltd. July 16, 1962 [July 21, 1961], No. 27177/62. Heading A5X. A feeding bottle teat has a bare portion having one or more grooves 5, each of which leads to a flap valve 7, so that, when the teat is fixed on the bottle by the base, the groove opens on to the outer surface of the bottle and entry of air is permitted through the groove and past the flap valve during suckling, reflux of fluid from the bottle through the groove being prevented by the flap valve. The base of the teat, which is made of rubber, has an outwardly extending flange 4 with a groove 5 or grooves extending radially inwardly on its lower surface which, in use, is pressed into engagement with the rim of the bottle by an apertured screw cap (Fig. 11, not shown). The valve comprises a circular ridge 7 which projects axially from the lower surface of the flange and, when the teat is on the bottle, engages the inner surface of the bottle rim to prevent leakage of liquid. During suckling the ridge is displaced from the bottle surface to permit air to enter through the groove or grooves. Alternatively, the valve comprises several arcuate ridges concentric with the longitudinal axis of the teat, each ridge being associated with a groove. Also, or alternatively, the base of the teat has an internal shoulder 10 for engagement externally of the bottle rim and the valve comprises a circular ridge 7 projecting internally of the base 1 so that, when the teat is on the bottle, the ridge engages the top surface of the bottle rim. A groove 5 or grooves extend axially along the inner surface of the teat.