NIPPLE DEVICE

This invention relates to a nipple. More particularly it concerns a nipple for a liquid container where the nipple suction portion comprises an outer membrane provided with a first through opening - a suction opening. The first through opening is offset relative to an opening associated with an inner element. The inner element is made up of a flexible membrane, which in its sealing position abuts the outer membrane at the first opening.

Nipples adapted to feeding bottles for children have a tendency to leak when the nipple is shaped in a traditionally way. This can lead to unwanted mess, but may also constitute a danger if liquid leaks out into the mouth of a baby without the baby sucking.

It is known to provide a nipple with a valve device to counteract unwanted leakage. GB 2246300 thus describes a device wherein it is opened for a throughflow when the nipple is pulled in the direction away from the feeding bottle.

Pursuant to US 2584359 the nipple abuts internally an element which, when the nipple is in its initial position, covers in a closing way, or plugs, a nipple suction opening.

WO 0048491 describes a similar embodiment to US 2584359, but is adapted to a drinking cup.

Common to all prior art valve devices are that they may be brought to leak by mechanical influence from the outside, for example by squeezing the nipple.

The object of the invention is to remedy or reduce at least one of the drawbacks related prior art .

The object is achieved by features given in the description below and in the following claims.

A nipple in accordance with the invention for a liquid container where the nipple suction portion comprises an outer membrane provided with a first through opening, and where the first through opening is offset relative to an opening associated with an inner element, characterized in that the inner element being made up of a elastic membrane, which in its sealing position abuts the outer membrane at the first open- ing .

The inner element may be made up of a separate membrane or a membrane formed as a part of the nipple material . The so- called two-stage moulding process may for example provide a nipple formed in one piece, but where the two membranes are made from different materials.

In a preferred embodiment a portion of the nipple suction portion is split into an outer and an inner membrane where the inner membrane is provided with at least one second through opening.

When the child is sucking the nipple, the outer membrane will, due to the underpressure formed on the outside of the outer membrane, be lifted sufficiently out from the inner membrane for the liquid to be able to flow through the second through opening, via a slit formed between the outer and the inner membranes, and out through the first through opening.

In an alternative embodiment, the inner membrane is formed separately and abuts the outer membrane. This embodiment makes cleaning simpler, as the inner and the outer membranes may be separated, for example by turning the nipple inside out .

In a further embodiment the inner membrane is constituted by an inner portion of an insertive element which fits complementary inside the nipple.

A nipple of the invention will have difficulty in leaking be- cause of external mechanical influence, as the inner membrane follows the outer membrane under a deformation. At its flange part, the nipple is provided with a colic valve known per se for air to flow into the bottle to equalize underpressure. The through openings in the nipple may be dimensioned to give a through flow adapted to different age groups.

In the following, an example of a preferred embodiment is described, which is illustrated in the enclosed drawings, where :

Fig. 1 shows in perspective a section of the nipple ac- cording to the invention;

Fig. 2 shows in a larger scale a portion of the nipple in fig. 1;

Fig. 3 shows the same as in fig. 2, but with the nipple in an open position;

Fig. 4 shows a section of a nipple of an alternative embodiment ;

Fig. 5 shows in a larger scale a portion of the nipple in fig- 4;

Fig. 6 shows a section of a nipple of a further embodiment ;

Fig. 7 shows in a larger scale a flange portion of the nipple in fig. 6; and

Fig. 8 shows the flange portion in an alternative embodiment .

In the drawings, the reference numeral 1 defines a nipple in accordance with the invention, which comprises a suction portion 2 and a flange portion 4. The flange portion 4 is shaped to fit on a container (not shown) which may be constituted by feeding bottle known per se.

The suction portion 2 of the nipple 1 is in this preferred embodiment provided with a slit 6 splitting a portion of the suction portion 2 into an outer membrane 8 and an inner mem- brane 10. The slit 6 may be provided with varying thickness.

The outer membrane 8 is provided with a first through opening 12, and the inner membrane is provided with a second through opening 14. The first through opening 12 and the second through opening 14 are offset relative to one another. In fig. 2 is shown that the slit 6 has its largest thickness at the second through opening 14.

When a child (not shown) sucks the suction portion 2 of the nipple 1, the outer membrane 8 is subjected to an underpressure on its outside, while the pressure on the inside of the outer membrane 8 corresponds to the pressure in the not shown bottle. The outer membrane 8 is thereby lifted out from the inner membrane 12, whereby liquid may flow through the second through opening 14, the slit 6 and the first through opening, see fig. 3.

In an alternative embodiment, see fig. 4, the nipple 1 is provided with a separate inner membrane 10. When the nipple 1 is in its initial state, the separate inner membrane 10 abuts the outer membrane 8 in a sealing relationship.

In a further embodiment, see fig. 6, an inner membrane 10 is constituted by an inner portion of an insertion body 16, which fits complementary into the nipple 1.

The insertion body 16 is held in position in the nipple by a circular bulb 18, see fig. 6, which corresponds with a circu- lar groove 20 in the insertion body 16.

The insertion body 16 is supported against an inward extending support flange 22 at the flange portion 4, see fig. 7.

In an alternative embodiment, see fig. 8, the insertion body 16 is provided with an outward extending circular flange 24 arranged to be clamped between the flange portion 4 and the bottle (not shown) .

The mode of operation of these alternative embodiments is equal to the operation of the preferred embodiment.