FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally pertains to artificial, elastic teats used for feeding infants or babies. More specifically, the present invention relates to a stretchable teat composed of elastic materials, which can be readily adapted to fit and tightly seal a range of receptacles, regardless of their size and capacity.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In a case where a mother does not breastfeed or is not present, the baby or the infant is usually fed with expressed breast milk, formulas or other liquids or solutions, using baby feed bottles. A typical bottle comprises an elongate, necked receptacle, containing fluid sustenance and a teat, consisting of a nipple and a collar. The teat is supposed to mimic as best as possible the natural structure and feel of the human breast, and is to be placed within the infant’s mouth. The teat can be assembled to or disassembled from the vessel, which contains the feed. The conventional teats are made of elastomeric materials, such as silicone, latex or TPE, and have a passage and an opening through which the baby sucks the fluid.

Patent US6871751 describes a baby bottle nipple, comprising a sealing surface adapted to be fastened on a baby bottle.

Patent US8528756 discloses a leakproof closure sealing system for baby bottles comprising a lower and an upper closure rings and locking elements for fastening the feeding teat to the bottle.

The above referenced patents describe means for fastening an artificial teat to a feeding bottle, but they do not disclose a stretchable elastic teat, that is fitted over a range of commonly used containers. Patent US5673806 discloses a teat for a baby’s bottle, whose nipple is fitted with dynamic means designed to implement a spring effect to enable axial stretching of the nipple. Patent US5673806 describes a teat that can be extended vertically, but does not disclose a teat that stretches horizontally and therefore, can be placed over various available containers and receptacles.

Although baby bottles come in a variety of styles and shapes, the designated commercial bottles are relatively costly, they ought to be specifically purchased in great quantities and their narrow structure can make it difficult to properly clean and sterilize them.

In light of the above, there remains a long felt and unmet need to provide improved inexpensive teats for feeding infants and babies that can be used with a variety of available containers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an elastic teat for baby feeding, that can stretch and fit many different types of available containers. Furthermore, the teat is equipped with a special fastener, assisting in tightening the teat once it is placed on top of a container. Details are disclosed below.

It is thus an object of the present invention to provide an elastic teat for fitting over liquid containers, comprising a nipple for sucking liquid, an intermediate portion and a lower portion of a stretchable diameter for fitting over the mouth of a container, configured to provide a hermetic seal over perimeter of the container.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide an elastic teat wherein the lower portion comprises a tongue for tightening the stretchable lower portion to the mouth of a container and the free end of the tongue is configured to be fastenable to a fastening anchor on the stretchable lower portion after it is sealably attached to the container.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an elastic teat wherein the stretchable lower portion is horizontally and diametrically stretchable across the mouth of a container. It is also an object of the present invention to provide an elastic teat wherein the diameter of the stretchable lower portion is greater than that of the nipple.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide an elastic teat wherein the nipple is configured to be received within an infant’s or a baby’s mouth and the nipple has an opening in its upper end to allow liquid flow.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide an elastic teat wherein the teat is made of a material selected from the group consisting of rubber, latex, thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) and silicone or any combination thereof.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide an elastic teat wherein the fastening anchor on the stretchable lower portion is configured as a protrusion or a stud.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a method of utilizing an elastic teat comprising steps of obtaining an elastic teat for fitting over liquid containers, the teat comprises a nipple for sucking liquid, an intermediate portion and a lower portion of a stretchable diameter for fitting over the mouth of a container configured to provide a hermetic seal over perimeter of the container and feeding an infant therefrom.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a method wherein the stretchable lower portion comprises a tongue for tightening the stretchable lower portion to the mouth of a container and the free end of the tongue is configured to be fastenable to a fastening anchor on the stretchable lower portion after it is sealably attached to said container.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a method wherein the stretchable lower portion is horizontally and diametrically stretchable across the mouth of the container.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a method wherein the diameter of the stretchable lower portion is greater than that of the nipple.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a method wherein the elastic nipple is configured to be received within an infant’s or a baby’s mouth and the nipple has an opening in its upper end to allow liquid flow. It is another object of the present invention to provide a method wherein the elastic teat is made of a material selected from the group consisting of rubber, latex, thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) and silicone or any combination thereof.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a method wherein the fastening anchor is configured as a protrusion or a stud.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a method consisting of manually stretching and fitting the stretchable lower portion of the elastic teat to the mouth of a container filled with any liquid suited for feeding a baby or an infant.

Rationale of the present invention:

There is a need to provide an elastic, adjustable nipple, which can be can be fitted over any commonly found liquid containing receptacle or vessel, regardless of its size or capacity, thus rendering the feeding process more affordable and convenient. The present invention discloses means and methods for providing same.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of an aspect of the present invention; Figure 2 is a schematic illustration of an aspect of the present invention; Figure 3 is a schematic illustration of an aspect of the present invention; Figure 4 is a schematic illustration of an aspect of the present invention; Figure 5 is a schematic illustration of an aspect of the present invention; Figure 6 is a schematic illustration of an aspect of the present invention; Figure 7 is a schematic illustration of an aspect of the present invention; Figure 8 is a schematic illustration of an aspect of the present invention; Figure 9 is a schematic illustration of an aspect of the present invention; Figure 10 is a schematic illustration of an aspect of the present invention; Figure 11 is a schematic illustration of an aspect of the present invention; Figure 12 is a schematic illustration of an aspect of the present invention; and

Figure 13 is a schematic illustration of an aspect of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following descriptions are provided, so as to enable any person skilled in the art to make use of the invention and sets forth the best modes contemplated by the inventor of carrying out this invention. Various modifications, however, are adapted to remain apparent to those skilled in the art, since the generic principles of the present invention have been defined specifically to provide an elastic teat 100 for fitting over liquid containers particularly versatile utility.

Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

Reference is now made to figure 1 illustrating an object of the present invention: an elastic teat 100 for fitting over liquid containers 106, comprising a nipple 101 for sucking liquid, an intermediate portion 102 and a lower portion 103 of stretchable diameter D for fitting over the mouth of the container 106, configured to provide a hermetic seal over the perimeter of the container 106. Stretchable lower portion 103 comprises a tongue 104 for tightening the lower portion 103 to the mouth of a container 106 and the free end of the tongue 104 is configured to be fastenable to a fastening anchor 105 on the stretchable lower portion 103 after it is sealably attached to the container 106.

Reference is now made to figure 2 illustrating a top plan view of the present invention: the elastic teat 100 comprises a nipple 101 for sucking liquid, an intermediate portion 102 and a stretchable lower portion 103.

Reference is now made to figure 3 illustrating longitudinal cross sections of the present invention, wherein elastic teat 100 comprising a nipple 101 for sucking liquid, an intermediate portion 102 and a stretchable lower portion 103, is fitted over two different containers 106A and 106B.

Reference is now made to figure 4 illustrating a side view of the present invention in an in-use condition, wherein elastic teat 100 comprising a nipple 101 for sucking liquid, an intermediate portion 102 and a stretchable lower portion 103, is partially received within an infant’s mouth and is sealably attached and fastened to a container 106 with a tongue 104, which is fixed to a fastening anchor 105.

Reference is now made to figure 5 illustrating an example of the present invention 100 provided with aperture 110 configured for compensating rarefaction of air withing the container (not show) during sucking nipple 101.

Reference is now made to figure 6 illustrating an example of the present invention prior to fitting and stretching it over a container: an elastic teat 100 comprising a nipple 101 for sucking liquid, an intermediate portion 102, a stretchable lower portion 103 and a tongue 104, next to a container 106 of choice.

Reference is now made to figure 7 illustrating an example of the present invention. The elastic teat 100 comprising a nipple 101 for sucking liquid, an intermediate portion 102 and a stretchable lower portion 103, is fitted over a container 106 of choice. The tongue 104 located on lower portion 103, is not yet fastened to hermetically seal the teat 100.

Reference is now made to figure 8illustrating an example of the present invention. The elastic teat 100 comprising a nipple 101 for sucking liquid, an intermediate portion 102 and a stretchable lower portion 103, is fitted over a container 106 of choice and is tightly connected to it by tongue 104, which is fastened to stretchable lower portion 103 of teat

100.

Reference is now made to figure 9 illustrating an example of the present invention prior to fitting and stretching it over a container: an elastic teat 100 comprising a nipple 101 for sucking liquid, an intermediate portion 102, a stretchable lower portion 103 and a tongue 104, next to a container 106 of choice. Reference is now made to figure 10 illustrating an example of the present invention. The elastic teat 100 comprising a nipple 101 for sucking liquid, an intermediate portion 102 and a stretchable lower portion 103 is fitted over a container 106 of choice. The tongue 104 located on stretchable lower portion 103, is not yet fastened to hermetically seal the teat 100.

Reference is now made to figure 11 illustrating an example of the present invention. The elastic teat 100 comprising a nipple 101 for sucking liquid, an intermediate portion 102 and a stretchable lower portion 103, is fitted over a container 106 of choice and is tightly connected to it.

Reference is now made to figure 12 illustrating an example of the present invention prior to fitting and stretching it over a container: an elastic teat 100 comprising a nipple 101 for sucking liquid, an intermediate portion 102, a stretchable lower portion 103 and a tongue 104, next to a container 106 of choice.

Reference is now made to figure 13 illustrating an example of the present invention. The elastic teat 100 comprising a nipple 101 for sucking liquid, an intermediate portion 102 and a stretchable lower portion 103, is fitted over a container 106 of choice and is tightly sealed to it by tongue 104.