CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority of Chinese patent application No. 201210158096.5 filed on May 21, 2012, the entire content of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE APPLICATION

The present application relates to a feeding apparatus, and particularly to a feeding apparatus for feeding babies and people who have difficulties taking food.

BACKGROUND

Feeding apparatus such as milk bottles can be used to contain liquid state food such as milk and beverage for feeding infants. However, these milk bottles cannot be used to hold small pieces of cut fruit such as pear, apple, vegetable, jelly, yogurt, minced meat and fish for the purpose of feeding infants, handicapped people, elderly people and sick people who have difficulties taking food. There is a need to provide a feeding apparatus that can be used to feed infants, handicapped people, elderly people and sick people with food such as small pieces of cut fruit such as pear, apple, vegetable, jelly, yogurt, minced meat and fish, etc.

The above description of the background is provided to aid in understanding a feeding apparatus, but is not admitted to describe or constitute pertinent prior art to the feeding apparatus disclosed in the present application, or consider any cited documents as material to the patentability of the claims of the present application.

SUMMARY

According to one aspect, there is provided a feeding apparatus having a first container and a second container. The first container may have an open end and a closed end on which at least one aperture is formed, and defining a sucking mouthpiece. A first coupling member can be provided at the open end of the first container. The second container may have an open end directly facing the open end of the first container. A second coupling member can be provided at the open end of the second container. A third coupling member may be coupled between and respectively to the first and second coupling members, and formed with a passage in communication with the open ends of the first and second containers. The second container can be squeezable so that food disposed therein can be squeezed into the sucking mouthpiece through the passage, and sucked out from the sucking mouthpiece through the at least one aperture.

The feeding apparatus may further include a valve piece mounted across the passage. The valve piece can be formed thereon with a valve opening through which food can pass. The valve piece may be detachably mounted on the third coupling member. The valve piece may also be integrally formed with the third coupling member. An inner wall at one end of the passage facing the open end of the first container can be formed with an annular platform for mounting thereon the valve piece. An inner wall at one end of the passage facing the open end of the second container can be formed with an annular platform for mounting thereon the valve piece. An inner wall in the middle of the passage can be formed with an annular platform for mounting thereon the valve piece.

The valve opening can be in the form of an elongated opening with a width tapering from two opposite ends of the elongated opening to a middle portion of the elongated opening. The valve opening may be in the shape of an hourglass or a cross. The valve piece may include an array of valve openings. The valve piece may be circular in shape. The valve piece may be made of a flexible material or a rigid material. The second container may be made of a flexible material.

A wall of the passage may be formed with a through slot through which the valve piece is inserted, and a corresponding groove in which an edge of the valve piece is inserted when the valve piece is fully inserted through the through slot.

The third coupling member may include a first hinge for hingedly connecting to the first coupling member, and a second hinge for hingedly connecting to the second coupling member. The first and second coupling members can be provided with a snap fastener for fastening the first, second and third coupling members together.

The sucking mouthpiece may be integrally formed at the open end thereof with an annular flange for coupling with an annular platform formed on the first coupling member. The second container can be integrally formed at the open end thereof with an annular flange for coupling with an annular platform formed on the second coupling member.

According to another aspect, there is provided a feeding apparatus having a first container and a second container. The first container may have an open end and a closed end on which at least one aperture is formed and defining a sucking mouthpiece. The second container may have an open end directly facing the open end of the first container. A coupling assembly can couple the open ends of the first and second containers together. The second container can be squeezable so that food disposed therein can be squeezed into the sucking mouthpiece and sucked out therefrom through the at least one aperture. The aperture can be a circular opening or a cross cut. An annular projection may be formed around each cross cut.

The coupling assembly may include a first coupling member provided at the open end of the first container and a second coupling member provided at the open end of the second container. The second coupling member can be coupled to the first coupling member.

The coupling assembly may further include a third coupling member coupled between and respectively to the first and second coupling members, and formed with a passage in communication with the open ends of the first and second containers.

The feeding apparatus may include a valve member mounted across the passage. The valve member can be formed thereon with a valve opening through which food can pass. The valve member can be detachably mounted on the third coupling member. The valve member can also be integrally formed on the third coupling member. An inner wall at one end of the passage facing the open end of the first container can be formed with an annular platform for mounting thereon the valve member. An inner wall at one end of the passage facing the open end of the second container can be formed with an annular platform for mounting thereon the valve member. An inner wall in the middle of the passage can be formed with an annular platform for mounting thereon the valve member.

The valve member may be in the form of a flat valve piece, and the valve opening may be in the form of an elongated opening with a width tapering from two opposite ends of the elongated opening to a middle portion of the elongated opening. The valve member may be in the form of a flat valve piece, and the valve opening may be in the shape of an hourglass. The valve member may be in the form of a flat valve piece, and the valve opening is in the shape of a cross. The valve member may also be in the form of a flat valve piece having an array of valve openings. The valve member may be flat and circular in shape. The valve member may be made of a flexible material or a rigid material. The second container may be made of a flexible material.

A wall of the passage can be formed with a through slot through which the valve member is inserted, and a corresponding groove in which an edge of the valve member is inserted when the valve piece is fully inserted through the through slot.

The third coupling member may have a first hinge for hingedly connecting to the first coupling member, and a second hinge for hingedly connecting to the second coupling member. The first and second coupling members can be provided with a snap fastener for fastening the first, second and third coupling members together.

The first container may be integrally formed at the open end thereof with an annular flange for coupling with an annular platform formed on the first coupling member. The second container may be integrally formed at the open end thereof with an annular flange for coupling with an annular platform formed on the second coupling member.

Although the feeding apparatus disclosed in the present application is shown and described with respect to certain embodiments, it is obvious that equivalents and modifications will occur to others skilled in the art upon the reading and understanding of the specification. The present application includes all such equivalents and modifications, and is limited only by the scope of the claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Specific embodiments of the feeding apparatus disclosed in the present application will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a feeding apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the feeding apparatus in an open position with a detached valve member according to the first embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the feeding apparatus in an open position showing the installation of the valve member according to the first embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the feeding apparatus in a closed position according to the first embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 5a is a perspective view of the feeding apparatus in an open position with a detached valve member according to a second embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 5b is a perspective view of the feeding apparatus in an open position showing the installation of the valve member according to the second embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 6a is a perspective view of the feeding apparatus in an open position with a detached valve member according to a third embodiment of the present application. FIG. 6b is a perspective view of the feeding apparatus in an open position showing the installation of the valve member according to the third embodiment of the present application. FIG. 7a is a perspective view of the feeding apparatus in an open position with a detached valve member according to a fourth embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 7b is a perspective view of the feeding apparatus in an open position showing the installation of the valve member according to the fourth embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 8a is a perspective view of the feeding apparatus in an open position with a detached valve member according to a fifth embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 8b is a perspective view of the feeding apparatus in an open position showing the installation of the valve member according to the fifth embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 9a is a perspective view of the feeding apparatus in an open position with a detached valve member according to a sixth embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 9b is a perspective view of the feeding apparatus in an open position showing the installation of the valve member according to the sixth embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 10a is a perspective view of the feeding apparatus in an open position with a detached valve member according to a seventh embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 10b is a perspective view of the feeding apparatus in an open position showing the installation of the valve member according to the seventh embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 11a is a perspective view of the feeding apparatus in an open position with a detached valve member according to an eighth embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 1 lb is a perspective view of the feeding apparatus in an open position showing the installation of the valve member according to the eighth embodiment of the present application. FIG. 12a is a perspective view of the feeding apparatus in an open position with a detached valve member according to a ninth embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 12b is a perspective view of the feeding apparatus in an open position showing the installation of the valve member according to the ninth embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 13a is a perspective view of the feeding apparatus in an open position with a detached valve member according to a tenth embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 13b is a perspective view of the feeding apparatus in an open position showing partial insertion of the valve member into a slot according to the tenth embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 13c is a perspective view of the feeding apparatus in an open position showing full insertion of the valve member into the slot according to the tenth embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 14a is a perspective view of the feeding apparatus in an open position with a detached valve member according to an eleventh embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 14b is a perspective view of the feeding apparatus in an open position showing partial insertion of the valve member into the slot according to the eleventh embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 14c is a perspective view of the feeding apparatus in an open position showing full insertion of the valve member into the slot according to the eleventh embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 15a is a perspective view of the feeding apparatus in an open position with a detached valve member according to a twelfth embodiment of the present application. FIG. 15b is a perspective view of the feeding apparatus in an open position showing partial insertion of the valve member into the slot according to the twelfth embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 15c is a perspective view of the feeding apparatus in an open position showing full insertion of the valve member into the slot according to the twelfth embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the feeding apparatus in an open position according to a thirteenth embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the feeding apparatus in an open position according to a fourteenth embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the feeding apparatus in an open position according to a fifteenth embodiment of the present application.

FIGS. 19(a), 19(b), 19(c) and 19(d) are top, perspective, front and side views of the sucking mouthpiece respectively according to another embodiment of the present application.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to a preferred embodiment of the feeding apparatus disclosed in the present application, examples of which are also provided in the following description. Exemplary embodiments of the feeding apparatus disclosed in the present application are described in detail, although it will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art that some features that are not particularly important to an understanding of the feeding apparatus may not be shown for the sake of clarity.

Furthermore, it should be understood that the feeding apparatus disclosed in the present application is not limited to the precise embodiments described below and that various changes and modifications thereof may be effected by one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit or scope of the appended claims. For example, elements and/or features of different illustrative embodiments may be combined with each other and/or substituted for each other within the scope of this disclosure and appended claims.

It should be noted that throughout the specification and claims herein, when one element is said to be "coupled" or "connected" to another, this does not necessarily mean that one element is fastened, secured, or otherwise attached to another element. Instead, the term "coupled" or "connected" means that one element is either connected directly or indirectly to another element, or is in mechanical or electrical communication with another element.

Referring now to the drawings, in which like reference numerals represent like parts throughout the drawings, FIGS. 1-4 show a feed apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present application. The feeding apparatus may include a feeding assembly 1, a middle coupling member 2 and a food-squeezing assembly 3. The feeding assembly 1 may include a first coupling member 11 and a first container or sucking mouthpiece 12.

The first container or sucking mouthpiece 12 has an open end 123 and a closed end 124. The first coupling member 11 may include an opening 112. The sucking mouthpiece 12 can be removably coupled to the first coupling member 11. When the sucking mouthpiece 12 is coupled to the first coupling member 11, the open end 123 of the sucking mouthpiece 12 is in communication with the opening 112 of the first coupling member 11. Food can be put into the sucking mouthpiece 12 through the opening 112 of the first coupling member 11 and the open end 123 of the sucking mouthpiece 12.

The sucking mouthpiece 12 can be formed at the closed end 124 thereof with at least one aperture 121. According to the illustrated embodiment, the sucking mouthpiece 12 has a plurality of apertures 121 arranged around the sucking mouthpiece 12. The size and shape of the apertures 121 can be so designed that food coming out from the apertures 121 would not choke a person consuming the food. According to the illustrated embodiments, the apertures 121 are circular in shape and can have a diameter of about 1 mm to about 5 mm. The size, number and arrangement of the apertures 121 may vary according to different designs and requirements. For example, the apertures 121 may be square or rectangular in shape.

The sucking mouthpiece 12 may be made of a soft resilient material suitable for use with foodstuff. This soft resilient material for foodstuff use may include silicone or latex, or rubber or polyvinyl chloride (PVC) for foodstuff use. Silicone material is non-toxic, environmental-friendly, wear resistant, resistant to high and low temperatures, and aging resistant. Products made of silicone are more environmental- friendly, more safe and more durable. It is appreciated that the sucking mouthpiece 12 can be made of a transparent soft resilient material allowing a person to readily see through the sucking mouthpiece 12 and know whether the container 12 is full or empty.

Normally, the sucking mouthpiece 12 stays in its original shape and the food stays inside the sucking mouthpiece 12. When the sucking mouthpiece 12 is put inside a person's mouth and a person chews, bites or sucks on the sucking mouthpiece 12, the sucking mouthpiece 12 collapses by the external force that forces the food (such as small pieces of crushed food, fruit puree, marc, juice, etc.) to seep and pass through the apertures 121. The sucking mouthpiece 12 returns to its original shape upon release of the force due to the resiliency of the sucking mouthpiece 12.

The sucking mouthpiece 12 may be sized and shaped to fit inside a person's mouth. The sucking mouthpiece 12 can hold small pieces of fruit or other food such as jelly, yogurt, vegetable, meat or fish, etc. The sucking mouthpiece 12 can be put inside the mouth of a person for biting, sucking or chewing. For a fruit having juice and marc, fruit juice and small pieces of marc can be sucked through the apertures 121 and into a person's mouth, whilst larger pieces of marc remain inside the sucking mouthpiece 12. Since the apertures 121 are smaller than the esophagus of a person consuming the food, the person will not be choked by the food coming out from the apertures 121. This can protect the safety of the person eating food out of the feeding apparatus. For fruit having puree but without marc, the fruit puree can be dispensed through the apertures 121 and into the person's mouth. Therefore, one can use the feeding apparatus to feed an infant or baby with food such a fruit, and teach an infant or baby to chew and swallow without the risk of being choked by the fruit. The feeding apparatus is safe to an infant or baby and is convenient to use because it is not necessary for a caretaker to squeeze juice from the fruit before feeding. Using the feeding apparatus, an infant or baby can readily eat fresh fruit (such as strawberry, apple and pear), vegetable, fish, meat, etc.

When the sucking mouthpiece 12 contains a mixture of food in solid state and liquid state, the liquid can form a sealing membrane over the apertures 121 under the influence of surface tension. Therefore, food inside the sucking mouthpiece 12 cannot be easily escaped through the apertures 121. An infant or baby needs to perform a suck action to suck the food through the apertures 121. This can train the muscles around the mouth as well as train the lung capacity of an infant or baby. Also, it can prevent leakage of liquid through the apertures 121 and spoilage of the clothing of the person eating the food out of the feeding apparatus. If the sucking mouthpiece 12 is made of a mesh, the apertures on the mesh are not resilient and therefore it is difficult to form a sealing membrane over the apertures of the mesh. As the apertures on the mesh are close to each other, it becomes more difficult to form a sealing membrane over the mesh's apertures. The distance between two apertures 121 in the present application can be about 2 mm to about 10 mm.

Handicapped people, elderly people without teeth, sick people and people who have difficulties taking food can also use the feeding apparatus with the sucking mouthpiece 12 to assist them in taking food.

According to the present embodiment, the sucking mouthpiece 12 can be detachably coupled to the first coupling member 11. The sucking mouthpiece 12 can be formed with an annular flange 122 around the open end 123. The first coupling member 11 can be in the form of an annular member and can be formed with an annular platform 111 on which the annular flange 122 of the sucking mouthpiece 12 can be mounted. It is understood that the first coupling member 11 can be fixedly connected to the sucking mouthpiece 12. For example, the first coupling member 11 and the sucking mouthpiece 12 can be integrally formed into one single piece by injection molding, or the first coupling member 11 and the sucking mouthpiece 12 can be manufactured separately and then glued or attached together. The food- squeezing assembly 3 of the feeding apparatus may include a second coupling member 31 and a second container 32. According to the present embodiment, the second container 32 can be detachably coupled to the second coupling member 31. The second container 32 can be formed with an annular flange 321 around an open end 322. The second coupling member 31 can be in the form of an annular member and can be formed with an annular platform 311 on which the annular flange 321 of the second container 32 can be mounted. It is understood that the second coupling member 31 can be fixedly connected to the second container 32. For example, the second coupling member 31 and the second container 32 can be integrally formed into one single piece by injection molding, or the second coupling member 31 and the second container 32 can be manufactured separately and then glued or attached together.

The open end 322 of the second container 32 may be directly facing the open end 123 of the sucking mouthpiece 12. The second container 32, serving as a food container, may be sized and shaped to hold therein small pieces of cut fruit such as pear, apple, vegetable, jelly, yogurt, minced meat and fish, etc. Food can be put inside the second container 32 through the open end 322 when the second container 32 is opened. The second container 32 can be a squeezable container. The second container 32 can also be made of the same soft and resilient material of the sucking mouthpiece 12, or any other suitable flexible material that makes the second container 32 squeezable. It can also be made of a transparent material. When the second container 32 is squeezed by a user, the food inside the second container 32 can be squeezed out from the open end 322 and into the sucking mouthpiece 12, and then sucked out from the sucking mouthpiece 12 through the apertures 121.

The middle or third coupling member 2 can be coupled between and respectively to the first coupling member 11 and the second coupling member 31. The middle coupling member 2 may be formed with a passage 21 in communication with the open ends 123, 322 of the first and second containers 12, 32. Food inside the second container 32 can be squeezed into the sucking mouthpiece 12 through the passage 21 of the middle coupling member 2. During a feeding process, suction by the mouth of a user on the sucking mouthpiece 12 can squeeze the sucking mouthpiece 12. When the sucking mouthpiece 12 is squeezed, food inside the sucking mouthpiece 12 may be forced to re-enter the second container 32. This would affect the feeding process especially for babies who possess little sucking ability. The result is that a smaller amount of food can be sucked out through the apertures 121 of the sucking mouthpiece 12.

To facilitate the feeding process, a valve member or valve piece 4 can be mounted across the passage 21. According to the illustrated embodiment, the valve piece 4 can be in the form of a flat, circular piece of flexible or rigid material. At least one valve opening 41 can be formed on the valve piece 4. The presence of the valve piece 4 across the passage 21 can increase the resistance of re-entering of food into the second container 32, and hence can prevent food inside the sucking mouthpiece 12 from reentering the second container 32. This can facilitate the feeding process and increase the intake of food. It can be understood that the presence of the valve piece 4 can also prevent the food inside the second container 32 from entering the sucking mouthpiece 12. However, the action of squeezing food out of the second container 32 can be readily carried out by an accompanying adult who can accomplish the necessary squeezing action by applying a little bit more pressure on the second container 32.

According to the illustrated embodiment, the valve piece 4 can be detachably mounted on the middle coupling member 2. An annular platform 22 can be formed on an inner wall of the passage 21 at one end facing the second coupling member 31. When the valve piece 4 is mounted on the annular platform 22 across the passage 21, the valve piece 4 can partially block the passage 21 of the middle coupling member 2 and can hence increase the resistance of re-entering of food from the sucking mouthpiece 12 into the second container 32. According to the present embodiment, the valve opening 41 may be in the shape of an elongated opening with two rounded opposite ends and a width tapering towards a middle portion of the elongated opening, resembling the shape of an hourglass.

Although it has been shown and described that the valve piece 4 is mounted on the middle coupling member 2, it is understood that the valve piece 4 can be mounted on the first or second coupling member 11, 31. According to the illustrated embodiment, a hinge assembly can be employed to connect the first and second coupling members 11, 31 to the third or middle coupling member 2 although other possible coupling mechanism such as thread mechanism can be employed. As shown in the drawings, the middle coupling member 2 may have a first hinge for hingedly connecting to the first coupling member 11, and a second hinge for hingedly connecting to the second coupling member 31. A hinge portion 23 can be formed on one side of the middle coupling member 2. A corresponding hinge portion 113 can be formed on one side of the first coupling member 11. Similarly, a corresponding hinge portion 313 can be formed on one side of the second coupling member 31. The hinge portions 23 and 113 can be hingedly connected together by a first pin 51. The hinge portions 23 and 313 can be hingedly connected together by a second pin 52. This double hinge mechanism hingedly connects the first and second coupling members 11, 31 to the middle coupling member 2. The feeding assembly 1 and the food- squeezing assembly 3 can be independently moved between open and closed positions relative to the middle coupling member 2. As compared to a thread connection, this double hinge connection makes the feeding apparatus simple and convenient to use. Furthermore, since the first, second and third coupling members 11, 31, 2 are connected together during feeding, cleaning and travelling, it is unlikely that one part of the feeding apparatus could be lost.

A snap fastening mechanism may be provided on the first and second coupling members 11, 31 to fasten the first, second and third coupling members 11, 31, 2 together. According to the illustrated embodiment, the second coupling member 31 may be formed with a snap fastener 53 for snap engagement with a catch member 114 formed on the first coupling member 11.

FIGS. 5a and 5b show a second embodiment of the feeding apparatus of the present application. The structure of the feeding apparatus in the second embodiment is basically the same as that in the first embodiment except for the shape of the valve opening 41 formed on the valve piece 4. According to the second embodiment, the valve opening 41 is in the shape of a cross. The cross-shaped valve opening 41 can be formed by two crossed elongated openings. The width of the two crossed elongated openings may taper towards the center of the cross-shaped valve opening 41. FIGS. 6a and 6b show a third embodiment of the feeding apparatus of the present application. The structure of the feeding apparatus in the third embodiment is basically the same as that in the first embodiment except for the shape of the valve opening 41 formed on the valve piece 4. According to the third embodiment, the valve piece 4 may be formed with an array of valve openings 41.

FIGS. 7a and 7b show a fourth embodiment of the feeding apparatus of the present application. The structure of the feeding apparatus in the fourth embodiment is basically the same as that in the first embodiment except for the location of the valve piece 4. According to the fourth embodiment, the annular platform 22 is formed at the middle of the passage 21. When the valve piece 4 is mounted on the annular platform 22, the valve piece 4 can be located at the middle of the passage 21. In the fourth embodiment, the shape of valve opening 41 on the valve piece 4 is the same as that in the first embodiment.

FIGS. 8a and 8b show a fifth embodiment of the feeding apparatus of the present application. The structure of the feeding apparatus in the fifth embodiment is basically the same as that in the fourth embodiment except for the shape of the valve opening 41 formed on the valve piece 4. In the fifth embodiment, the shape of valve opening 41 is in the shape of a cross. The cross-shaped valve opening 41 can be formed by two crossed elongated openings. The width of the two crossed elongated openings may taper towards the center of the cross-shaped valve opening 41.

FIGS. 9a and 9b show a sixth embodiment of the feeding apparatus of the present application. The structure of the feeding apparatus in the sixth embodiment is basically the same as that in the fourth embodiment except for the shape of the valve opening 41 formed on the valve piece 4. In the sixth embodiment, the valve piece 4 may be formed with an array of valve openings 41.

FIGS. 10a and 10b show a seventh embodiment of the feeding apparatus of the present application. The structure of the feeding apparatus in the seventh embodiment is basically the same as that in the first embodiment except for the location of the valve piece 4. According to the seventh embodiment, the annular platform 22 is formed on an inner wall of the passage 21 at the other end facing the sucking mouthpiece 12. In the seventh embodiment, the shape of valve opening 41 on the valve piece 4 is the same as that in the first embodiment.

FIGS. 11a and lib show an eighth embodiment of the feeding apparatus of the present application. The structure of the feeding apparatus in the eighth embodiment is basically the same as that in the seventh embodiment except for the shape of the valve opening 41 formed on the valve piece 4. In the eighth embodiment, the shape of valve opening 41 is in the shape of a cross. The cross-shaped valve opening 41 can be formed by two crossed elongated openings. The width of the two crossed elongated openings may taper towards the center of the cross-shaped valve opening 41.

FIGS. 12a and 12b show a ninth embodiment of the feeding apparatus of the present application. The structure of the feeding apparatus in the ninth embodiment is basically the same as that in the seventh embodiment except for the shape of the valve opening 41 formed on the valve piece 4. In the ninth embodiment, the valve piece 4 may be formed with an array of valve openings 41.

FIGS. 13a and 13b show a tenth embodiment of the feeding apparatus of the present application. The structure of the feeding apparatus in the tenth embodiment is basically the same as that in the first embodiment except for the connection of the valve piece 4 and the middle coupling member 2. In the tenth embodiment, a wall of the passage 21 can be formed with a through slot 241 through which the valve piece 4 can be inserted across the passage 21. The wall of the passage 21 can also be formed with a corresponding groove 244 in which an edge of the valve piece 4 can be inserted when the valve piece 4 is fully inserted through the through slot 241.

FIGS. 14a and 14b show an eleventh embodiment of the feeding apparatus of the present application. The structure of the feeding apparatus in the eleventh embodiment is basically the same as that in the tenth embodiment except for the shape of the valve opening 41 formed on the valve piece 4. In the eleventh embodiment, the shape of valve opening 41 is in the shape of a cross. The cross-shaped valve opening 41 can be formed by two crossed elongated openings. The width of the two crossed elongated openings may taper towards the center of the cross-shaped valve opening 41.

FIGS. 15a and 15b show a twelfth embodiment of the feeding apparatus of the present application. The structure of the feeding apparatus in the twelfth embodiment is basically the same as that in the tenth embodiment except for the shape of the valve opening 41 formed on the valve piece 4. In the twelfth embodiment, the valve piece 4 may be formed with an array of valve openings 41.

FIGS. 16a and 16b show a thirteenth embodiment of the feeding apparatus of the present application. The structure of the feeding apparatus in the thirteenth embodiment is basically the same as that in the first embodiment except for the connection of the valve piece 4 and the middle coupling member 2. In the thirteenth embodiment, the valve piece 4 can be fixed on the middle coupling member 2. For example, the valve piece 4 and the middle coupling member can be integrally formed as one single unit, or they can be formed separately and then glue or fixedly attach together. In the thirteenth embodiment, the shape of the valve opening 41 formed on the valve piece 4 is the same as that in the first embodiment.

FIGS. 17a and 17b show a fourteenth embodiment of the feeding apparatus of the present application. The structure of the feeding apparatus in the fourteenth embodiment is basically the same as that in the thirteenth embodiment except for the shape of the valve opening 41 formed on the valve piece 4. In the fourteenth embodiment, the valve opening 41 is in the shape of a cross. The cross-shaped valve opening 41 can be formed by two crossed elongated openings. The width of the two crossed elongated openings may taper towards the center of the cross-shaped valve opening 41.

FIGS. 18a and 18b show a fifteenth embodiment of the feeding apparatus of the present application. The structure of the feeding apparatus in the fifteenth embodiment is basically the same as that in the thirteenth embodiment except for the shape of the valve opening 41 formed on the valve piece 4. In the fifteenth embodiment, the valve piece 4 may be formed with an array of valve openings 41. It is understood that the shapes of the valve piece 4 and the valve opening 41 are not limited to the shapes described above. The valve piece 4 is not necessary flat and circular in shape. The valve piece 4 can be in any other shape such as flat and oval in shape, or cylindrical in shape. Also, the valve opening 41 can be in many other appropriate shapes. For a feeding apparatus with a detachable valve piece 4, the feeding apparatus can be equipped with two or more valve pieces 4. The valve pieces 4 may have valve openings 41 of different shapes to suit different kinds of food. Furthermore, the feeding apparatus can also be equipped with two or more sucking mouthpieces 12 of different shapes. It is also appreciated that the connection of the first, second and middle coupling members 11, 31, 2 is not limited to the hinge connection mentioned above. It is understood that the first, second and middle coupling members 11, 31, 2 can be connected together by other suitable means such as snap fastening connection and thread connection.

Although it has been shown and described that the sucking mouthpiece 12 have a plurality of circular apertures 121 formed thereon, it is understood by one skilled in the art that the sucking mouthpiece 12 may have slits or cross cuts formed thereon instead.

FIGS. 19(a)-(d) show different views of a sucking mouthpiece 12' according to another embodiment of the present application. Instead of circular apertures, the sucking mouthpiece 12' may be formed with one or more slits or cross cuts 121 ' through which food can be sucked out from the mouthpiece 12'. An annular projection 122' may also be formed around each cross slit 121 ' on the outer surface of the mouthpiece 12' for strengthening the regions of the mouthpiece 12' where the cross cuts 121 ' are disposed.

While the feeding apparatus disclosed in the present application has been shown and described with particular references to a number of preferred embodiments thereof, it should be noted that various other changes or modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the appending claims.