Patent Grant
9895292
This disclosure is generally related to devices and methods for providing a liquid to a human, for example, feeding of a human from another human's breast (or like structure).
Often, it is desired that a human provide nourishment, such as a feeding liquid, to a recipient, such as a human infant. On occasion, to provide sufficient nutrition to a recipient, it may be advantageous to augment or to replace, for example, a feeding liquid with another liquid. Such augmentation and/or replacement, may be of particular value to, for example, adoptive parents who may not possess breast milk, biological parents who may not have a sufficient quantity of natural breast milk, and biological mothers who may have undergone, for example, a mastectomy of one or both breasts. Breast-feeding, or a semblance thereof, may also be advantageous in that such activity may result, at least in part, in promoting closeness and bonding of a parent or other caregiver with an infant, or the like.
Briefly, a fluid dispensing system embodying features of the invention may comprise a feeding device including at least one fluid housing for storing fluid and at least one dispensing portion fluidically coupled to the at least one housing to dispense the stored fluid to a recipient. In an embodiment including features of the present invention, the at least one housing is shaped to at least approximately conform to at least a portion of the shape of a human breast. In an embodiment including features of the present invention, a feeding device the at least one housing may be formed of a plurality of sub-housings. The plurality of sub-housings, may be fluidically connected in one or more locations. The sub-housings may have appropriate shapes such as those approximating petals. In an embodiment including features of the present invention, a feeding device may comprise a teardrop shape.
The human breast may be that of a male or female. It should also be understood that the devices and methods embodying features of the present invention are not limited to humans and the same may be useful in the care of other mammals such as chimpanzees. It should further be appreciated that different shapes and designs suitable for feeding devices embodying features of the present invention are within the scope of the present invention.
A dispensing portion embodying features of the invention may comprise an dispensing tip at a distal end thereof, fluidically coupled to at least one fluid feed chamber. The dispensing tip may include one or a plurality of apertures. In an embodiment, the dispensing tip may be configured to deliver fluid from the at least one housing and from a human breast to the recipient. In an embodiment, the dispensing tip may be configured to only, or substantially only, deliver fluid from the at least one housing (
A fluid dispensing system embodying features of the invention may additionally comprise a feed channel that conveys fluid from the at least one housing to the dispensing tip. in an embodiment the feed coupling, may be positioned to on or off position to enable or disable fluidic connection between the feeding channel and the dispensing tip, respectively. In an embodiment, a device may include a removable material, materially and biochemically compatible with the fluid and the recipient, such as adhesive tape or a cover; which is disposable a the dispensing tip to minimize undesirable leakage when the device is not in use.
In an embodiment, at least a portion of a feeding device comprises a frustum shaped fluid channel portion coupled to one or more apertures for dispensing fluid to the recipient. In an embodiment, the dispensing tip may be coupled to the frustum shaped portion, or may be integrated with the frustum shaped portion.
In a fluid dispensing system embodying features of the invention, the housing may comprise a plurality of petal shaped sub-housings extending from an approximately central location, for storing fluid, the plurality of petal shaped chambers, together, at least partially, may approximate an oval or circular shape which approximately may conform to a shape of a human breast. In an embodiment, the plurality of petal shaped chambers are in fluid communication with one another.
In an embodiment, a fluid dispensing system embodying features of the invention may have a contour that approximately accords with a teardrop shape. A fluid dispensing system embodying features of the invention may additionally comprise an inner ring disposed at or near a bulbous portion of the teardrop shape. In an embodiment, one or structural members such as struts or reinforcing members may extend along a dimension of the housing or sub-housings (of the petal-shaped or teardrop designs). When present, such structural members may provide for additional structural integrity to the chamber and thus to the device, in particular when filled with fluid. The structural members may be formed from any material suitable, such as plastic, metal, or the like, and can be formed integral with the chamber (e.g., in the inner or outer surface of the housing or sub-housings) or removably insertable therein (or they may be disposed on an exterior surface of the housing similar to a cage). The structural members may extend in a suitable direction, as for example, along a longitudinal or transverse dimension of the housing. In an embodiment, the structural members may be in a helical, circular, or elongate configuration.
It should be noted that although petal or teardrop shaped housings/devices are described herein, other shapes suitable for storing and delivery of fluid and operating according to the principles of the present invention, are also within the scope of the present invention.
A fluid dispensing system may further comprise a ring output chamber for admitting fluid from the at least one housing to the inner chamber.
In an embodiment, the ring chamber and the associated output chamber and the corresponding dispensing port may be formed approximately concentric with the geometrical center of the housing.
In an embodiment, the ring the ring chamber and the associated output chamber and the corresponding dispensing port may be formed approximately non-centric with the geometrical center of the housing. In use, the non-centric configuration when worn by a caregiver, will be primarily located above the areola of the caregiver with the ring portion corresponding to and receiving the human nipple therein.
In an embodiment, the ring portion and the corresponding dispensing portion are configured for the natural nipple to extend therethrough, In an embodiment, the diameter of the ring portion and a base of the corresponding dispensing portion approximate the diameter of areola.
In an embodiment embodying features of the present invention, the dispensing form may be configured to also deliver natural milk from the human breast, concurrent or consecutive with delivery of fluid from the device.
A fluid dispensing system embodying features of the invention may additionally comprise an approximately helical shaped feeding channel that extends from an approximately outer circumferential location to an approximately central location. The helical-shaped device is formed to maintain approximately continuous contact with a human breast from the approximately central location to the circumferential location.
In some embodiments, a feeding device may be integrated into a brassiere to be worn by a caregiver and may include one or more housings for storage of fluids such as milk, formula, liquid supplements, or the like. The housing may be petal shaped and may conform or accord with a shape of a human breast, for example. In such embodiments, for example, fluids stored within petal-shaped sub-chambers may be warmed by caregiver's natural body heat prior to and/or during delivery to a recipient. One or more fluid dispensing apertures, which accord with a shape of a human nipple may be oriented at or near a medial portion of the dispensing portion of the feeding device.
The various components of the device, may be formed from same, similar, or different material. In an embodiment, the various components are formed from material approximating the human flesh and texture corresponding to the relevant component. By way of example, the housing/s, may be formed to have structural integrity, either independently, or as secured within or onto a clothing garment; while having pliability to approximate the pliability of the natural human breast. The choice of material will enhance the feeding experience.
In some embodiments, when it is desired that the infant only or at first receive natural milk from the caregiver's breast, the apertures at the distal tip of the dispensing portion may be either covered (or disabled from receiving fluid from the housing) The devices of the present invention provide for uninterrupted feeding of an infant, for example, until such time as the infant is satiated or any other appropriate time.
Non-limiting and non-exhaustive features of the present invention are described with reference to the following figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various figures. As to organization and/or method of operation, together with objects (e.g., devices, assemblies, systems), features, and/or advantages thereof, claimed subject matter may best be understood by reference to the detailed description of drawings accompanied with the drawings, the summary, and the claims. The drawings are schematic presentations and not necessarily to scale.
Reference is made in the following detailed description to accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, wherein like numerals may designate like parts throughout to indicate corresponding and/or analogous components. For ease of description and clarity of the drawings, like components may not have been numerically identified in all the drawings. It will be appreciated that components illustrated in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale, such as for simplicity and/or clarity of illustration. For example, dimensions of some components may be exaggerated relative to other components. Further, it is to be understood that various embodiments may utilize one or more of the features of other embodiments. Furthermore, structural and/or other changes may be made without departing from claimed subject matter. It should also be noted that directions and/or references, for example, up, down, top, bottom, and so on, may be used to facilitate discussion of drawings and/or are not intended to restrict application of claimed subject matter. Therefore, the following detailed description is not to be taken to limit claimed subject matter and/or equivalents.
Reference throughout this specification to “one example,” “one feature,” “one embodiment,” “an example,” “a feature,” “an implementation,” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the feature, example, or embodiment is included in at least one feature, example, or embodiment of claimed subject matter. Thus, appearances of the phrase “in one example,” “an example,” “in one implementation,” “an implementation,” “an embodiment,” or “in one embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same feature, example, or embodiment. Particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in one or more examples, features, or embodiments. The term “user,” “infant,” and “individual” may be used interchangeably herein. The term “breast” as used herein may refer to one or more breasts of a male or a female human. The terms “fluid” and “liquid” may be used interchangeably herein.
A feeding device, and methods of using a feeding device, may be used by parents, caregivers, infants, and others by providing a means by which nutritious fluids, for example, may be dispensed. Thus, an individual wishing to nurse an infant, for example, may make use of a feeding device in a manner that may accord with natural, biologically-based infant feeding. A feeding device may be used by mothers who may wish to augment and/or replace natural breast milk with liquids having similar or superior nutritious content, additional vitamins, liquid medicines, etc. Nursing, by way of a feeding device, may be conducted in a manner that fosters bonding between an infant and a male or female caregiver, for example. In all the figures and descriptions, various embodiment as shown and/or as described may include one or more features of the present invention but not necessarily all the features.
Feeding devices embodying features of the present invention may also be configured to be self-adhering to the human body, as for example, brassieres formed from silicon material and which may be provided as a kit comprising different lobes/cups (separate or connected). The devices of the present invention may also be securable to the body by way of tapes, adhesives and the like. The feeding device and its various components may be formed from suitable material, such as those used for storage of liquid formulas, food pouches, and the like. In an embodiment, the material may be chosen to be suitable for injection molding or other forms of molding or 3D printing for ease of manufacture.
A cavity 53 defines a space formed between a top layer 56 and a bottom layer 59 of the shell 35. In an embodiment, the cavity 53 is expandable as it is filled with fluid. The shell 35 may be configured such that the dimension between the top and bottom layers (cavity 53 and fluid channel 38) varies between the outer perimeter 11 of the feeding device 10 and the base 41 of the dispensing portion 19. This configuration may be achieved by suitable means, including but not limited to, independently or relatively, varying the thickness of the top and bottom layers along the radial dimension between the outer perimeter 11 and the base 41, or forming the top and/or bottom layers, independently or relatively, from different material in the radial direction (although integral with one another).
The layers may be formed from the same or different, but compatible material. By way of example, when formed from different material, the bottom layer which would come in contact with the breast is formed from material suitable for such contact while the top layer may be formed from a material suitable for contact with the infant's mouth. The top layer, itself, may be formed from a single or different, yet compatible, materials. By way of example, the top layer at the dispensing portion may be formed from material more suitable for contact with the infant's mouth and closer in texture to human nipple (e.g., formula bottle nipples).
The fluid dispensing tip 47 includes apertures 60 formed in the otherwise uninterrupted material of top layer 56.
The lumen 44 extending in the frustum-shaped fluid channel 38 and having the height 42, is configured to at least partially surround and receive a human nipple 65.
As shown in
A fluid feed coupling 70 provides a sealable conduit for receiving fluids from at least a portion of the fluid housing 16 (
The fluid feed chamber 73 dispenses the fluid to the infant through the one or more dispensing apertures 60 formed in the material of the top layer 56, at the fluid dispensing tip 47. As provided earlier, through the choice and design of the material, the width (dimension between top and bottom layers) of the cavity and the fluid feed chamber may vary.
The feeding device, in an embodiment as shown in
The feed chamber 73 and the corresponding ring output chamber 103 may be formed integral (
Now referring to
Feed chamber 73, as shown in
Apertures 60, at least some of which are shown in
Thus, although not shown in
In the embodiments shown in
In the embodiment shown in
The dispensing portion 19 embodying features of the present invention and as shown in these figures, may be of particular use when the caregiver's natural supply of breast milk, for example, becomes depleted during feeding or is unavailable all together. Accordingly, the natural breast milk such as that from nipple 65 may be augmented by additional fluids delivered through the one or more apertures 60. It should be appreciated that depending on the need, the device may be configured such that fluid from the device or the natural breast is dispensed, concurrently, or consecutively, or may be totally delivered from the device (as for example when breast milk is substantially or completely unavailable). By way of example, a caregiver may wish to have the infant first feed primarily from the natural breast before engaging the fluid feed coupling 70 to the “on” position to also provide fluid from the device. For the purposes of discussion, the fluid feed coupling 70 may be configured to be always in the on position (e.g., to have the fluid housing 16 and the dispensing portion 19 in fluidic communication, or be manually placed in an “engaged” or “on” position to enable such fluid communication, or disengaged or in “off” position to disallow fluidic communication). In an embodiment, the on/off configuration may be achieved automatically based on the flow rate and/or volume of the fluid.
The general schematic representations of
Similarly, the dispensing portion 19 may interact with the main fluid housing 13 in the same manner as that described in relation to
Fluid flow from chamber 38 through apertures 60, in
In some embodiments, sub-housings 25 of feeding device 10-3 may be fluidically interconnected thereby allowing the sub-housings of the feeding device to be in fluid communication with one another. Thus, when filling a feeding device 10-3, such as, by way of a fluid input port 90, the port may enable the filling of several sub-housings. In an embodiment, one or more of the sub-housings may have one or more fluid input ports 90, independently fillable. In an embodiment of a device embodying features of the present invention, there may be markers incorporated into the material or device to ease with identification of the level of fluid in the housing.
In implementations embodying features of the invention, the input port 90, such as a single fluid input port 90 may be disposed at a location, which in use, is closer to the caregivers head. Accordingly, fluid may be filled into the housing or multiple sub-housings and allowed to pool near a lower portion of the feeding device as a fluid supply is depleted. The filling may be achieved by suitable means, such as gravity or pressure.
In
In the embodiment, as shown in
It should be noted that one or more internal fluid ducts (not shown) may be formed in the inner surface of the material forming the housing or sub-housings to enhance the flow of delivery of fluid from the housing or sub-housings to the fluid inner ring chamber 100, and claimed subject matter is intended to embrace any number of internal input ducts.
In an embodiment, as shown in
One, two, or no couplings (whether feed coupling 70 or ring output coupling 106) may be used in various configurations depending on the level of flow control desired. In an embodiment, there is only one fluid coupling which can turn the fluid communication between the housing 16 and the dispensing portion 19 on and off by suitable means, such as but not limited to, rotation of the dispensing portion about the ring 100 (e.g., partial clock and/or counterclockwise rotation), and the like.
The dispensing portion (not shown) may be securably detachable from the fluid housing at the inner ring 100 and fluidically connectable to the interior 200 by way of ring output coupling 106 and fluid feed coupling 70 of the dispensing portion 19 (not shown). The dispensing portion (not shown) may also be formed integral with the main fluid housing, as described above. In a tear-shaped device embodying features of the present invention and as shown, the ring portion 100 approximates the areola area. In use, a most inferior portion of the device rests slightly below the areola, while the majority of the housing rests above the ring portion. In this configuration, when the device is secured to a clothing item by way of eyelets 110, the design minimizes the undesirable effects of gravity on the device and its fluid content. The embodiment shown, although shown with a dispensing portion similar to that in
Functional features of the device of
The device of
Thus, although particular illustrative embodiments are described, it is intended that this specification and claimed subject matter be interpreted reasonably broadly. For example, claimed subject matter is believed to include a feeding device that may be employed to dispense nutritious foods to recipient, such as an infant, for example. Through the use of such a device, nutritious fluids may be comfortably dispensed by a caregiver while fostering a bonding experience between a caregiver and an infant.
While there has been illustrated and/or described what are presently considered to be example features, it will be understood by those skilled in the relevant art that various other modifications may be made and/or equivalents may be substituted, without departing from claimed subject matter. Additionally, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation to teachings of claimed subject matter without departing from one or more central concept(s) described herein. Therefore, it is intended that claimed subject matter not be limited to particular examples disclosed, but that claimed subject matter may also include all aspects falling within appended claims and/or equivalents thereof.
This application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/154,881 filed on May 13, 2016, having an allowed status; which is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/696,131 filed on Apr. 24, 2015 and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,364,398; which is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/840,953 filed on Mar. 15, 2013 and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,060,917; which is a Continuation-In-Part of and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/646,722, filed on Oct. 7, 2012; which claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/543,921, filed Oct. 6, 2011. The entire contents of these applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
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| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61543921 | Oct 2011 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 15154881 | May 2016 | US |
| Child | 15437131 | US | |
| Parent | 14696131 | Apr 2015 | US |
| Child | 15154881 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 13840953 | Mar 2013 | US |
| Child | 14696131 | US | |
| Parent | 13646722 | Oct 2012 | US |
| Child | 13840953 | US |
