Title of Invention

ELASTIC BOTTLE TEAT

Abstract Sucker for drinking purposes which is composed of an elastic material, having a hollow teat, a circumferential fastening lip for fixing said sucker to the opening of a drinks bottle, a hollow transition region between the fastening lip and teat, at least one drinking slot, which is directed in the longitudinal direction of the teat and extends from the outer side to the inner side of the teat, in an end region of the teat which is curved outward, and at least one ventilation valve with a ventilation slot which extends from the outer wall of the transition region to the inner wall of the transition region.
Full Text FORM 2
THE PATENT ACT 197 0 (39 of 1970)
&
The Patents Rules, 2003 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
[See Section 10, and rule 13]
1.TITLE OF INVENTION A BOTTLE TEAT

2.APPLICANT(S)
a) Name
b) Nationality
c) Address

MAPA GMBH GUMMI-UND PLASTIKWERKE GERMAN Company
INDUSTRIESTRASSE 21-25,
274 04 ZEVEN
GERMANY

3.PREAMBLE TO THE DESCRIPTION
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed : -

ENGLISH TRANSLATION VARIFICATION
CERTIFICATE u/r. 20(3)0?)
I, Mr. HIRAL CHANDRAKANT JOSHI, an authorized agent for the applicant, MAPA GMBH GUMMI-UND PLASTIKWERKE do hereby verify that the content of English translated complete specification filed in pursuance of PCT International application No. PCT/EP2006/007627 thereof is correct and complete.



The invention relates to a bottle teat made from an elastic material.
Bottle teats serve the nutrition of sucklings and infants. Known bottle teats have a high suction nipple and a circumferential edge for fixation to a bottle opening of a drinking bottle. Since the mounting edge has a cross-section larger than that of the suction nipple a hollow transition area is present between the suction nipple and the mounting edge and generally expands from the suction nipple to the mounting edge. At its end region, the suction nipple has a drinking hole through which liquid can exit. A ventilation valve with a valve slot is within the transition area. The bottle teat is fixed to the aperture rim of the drinking bottle by means of a threaded ring. To this end, the bottle teat is slid through the threaded ring until the mounting edge comes to seat below an annular flange of the threaded ring. The threaded ring is screwed onto a male thread of the drinking bottle, by which action the mounting edge is sandwiched between the aperture rim and the threaded ring. Likewise, it is known to configure the ventilation valve by placing suitable channels in the seat range of the mounting edge at the aperture rim of the drinking bottle.
The infant can withdraw the liquid or other fluid food with which the drinking bottle is filled, by sucking at the suction nipple. This causes the food to exit through the drinking hole and a pressure balance takes place with the surroundings via the ventilation valve.
The known bottle teats have the disadvantage that they only enable a small flow of the food to be provided. If the drinking hole is constructed too large the liquid can flow out with no suction work performed by the infant. As a result, the infant is not trained in taking food and the food might come to be spilled. Further, the taking of food is restricted by the ventilation valve which limits the pressure balance.
From WO 2004/013001 A2, a spill-proof drinking cup is known where the suction nipple has a hollow with parallel drinking slots. When the user bites onto the outer walls of the suction nipple the insides thereof urge against the bottom of the hollow,


which will open the drinking slots disposed in the bottom of the hollow. This spill-proof drinking cup is not suited for use by sucklings and infants because they are unable to open the drinking slots by biting onto the suction nipple. Moreover, this drinking cup does not support the suckling's or infant's natural suction work.
Accordingly, it is the object of the invention to provide a bottle teat made of an elastic material which enables an increased flow of the food to be provided without adversely affecting the natural suction process, and which still prevents any unintentional spill of food in an efficient way.
The object is achieved by a bottle teat having the features of claim 1. Advantageous aspects of the bottle teat are indicated in the dependent claims.
The bottle teat of an elastic material has
- a hollow suction nipple,
- a circumferential mounting edge for fixation to the bottle opening of a drinking bottle,
- a hollow transition zone between the mounting edge and suction nipple,
- at least one drinking slot oriented in the longitudinal direction of the suction nipple and extended from the outside up to the inside of the suction nipple in an outwardly bulged external end region of the suction nipple, and
- at least one ventilation valve with a valve slot which is extended from the outer wall of the transition zone up to the inner wall of the transition zone.
In the inventive bottle teat, the drinking slot in the suction nipple ensures an increased flow of the food- to be provided. This is the case already when a single drinking slot of appropriate dimensions exists because it allows for a higher throughput than does a drinking hole. Since the drinking slot is located in an outwardly bulged end region of the bottle teat the withdrawal of food requires that suction work be done. Unlike in the state of the art, the withdrawal of food does not


presuppose that the bottle teat be clenched. An adequate pressure balance is also possible through an appropriately sized valve slot.
According to an aspect, the suction nipple has at least two parallel drinking slots. The two parallel drinking slots ensure a particularly large throughput of the food to be provided when the infant sucks at the bottle teat.
According to an aspect, the at least one drinking slot is rectilinear and/or undulated and/or serrated. Rectilinear drinking slots are particularly easy to manufacture by mechanically slitting the bottle teat. Undulated or serrated drinking slots favor a particularly high throughput of the food to be provided because they may be configured within a small space of a particularly large efficient length. The invention further encompasses designs where the drinking slot is rectilinear or undulated or serrated only in at least one sub-region and is of another one of the shapes mentioned above or a different shape in at least another sub-region.
The invention embraces designs where the suction nipple is disposed centrally with respect to the mounting edge. According to an aspect, the suction nipple is disposed eccentrically with respect to the mounting edge. This favors a complete withdrawal of food from the drinking bottle when the bottle is rotated such as to arrange the suction nipple at bottom. This design is particularly beneficial ergonomically.
According to an aspect, the suction nipple is of a cross-section which tapers off towards the outer end. This specifically makes manufacture easier and is particularly beneficial ergonomically. This also applies to another aspect according to which the suction nipple is of an oval cross-section. This further applies to an aspect where one side of the suction nipple that is closest to the mounting edge has a lesser inclination from the nipple axis than has the side of the suction nipple that is farthest distant from the mounting edge. Particularly for reasons of easy manufacture and ergonomy, according to a further aspect, the suction nipple has a rounded portion towards the transition zone on the side distant from the mounting edge.


To prevent the bottle teat from collapsing in the area of the rounded portion, the rounded portion and, selectively, the adjacent transition zone carry a rib on the inside.
According to an aspect, the transition zone is domed. This is also beneficial for reasons of easy manufacture and ergonomy.
According to an aspect, a circumferential constriction is present between the
mounting edge and transition zone. This stabilizes the bottle teat above the
constriction and prevents its excessive deformation which can impede the
withdrawal of food.
According to an advantageous aspect, there are at least two ventilation valves to ensure good pressure balance.
According to an aspect, the ventilation valve is located in a depression of the transition zone. This particularly counteracts an unintentional exit of food through the valve slot. Further, the protected accommodation of the ventilation valve inside the depression favors a smooth operation of the ventilation valve.
According to an aspect, the depression is present in the outer edge of the domed transition zone.
According to an aspect, the ventilation valve is located diametrically opposite the suction nipple in the outer edge of the transition zone. This helps achieve that if the suction nipple is arranged at bottom the ventilation valve will not be wetted with food so that a smooth pressure balance is possible.
According to an aspect, the mounting edge has a mounting flange. This favors a sealing fixation of the mounting edge between the threaded ring and the aperture rim of the bottle.


According to a further aspect, the mounting flange has a circumferential boss on the inner edge. The circumferential boss, in conjunction with a suitable threaded ring, prevents the bottle teat from inadvertently being pulled out of the threaded ring. Possible aspects of the bottle teat with a boss or another thickened region and a threaded ring matching it are described in DE 197 39 911 C5 the disclosure of which is incorporated into the present application to some extent.
According to a further aspect, the mounting edge is annularly circular.
Finally, according to an aspect, the bottle teat is manufactured from natural rubber or silicone.
It is preferred that the bottle teat is manufactured from one of the aforementioned materials. However, designs are also incorporated here which are made from several materials connected to each other.
The bottle teat preferably is manufactured from natural rubber, e.g. in a dipping process with aluminum moulds and a subsequent after-treatment and curing. The drinking and valve slots preferably are introduced by mechanical slitting.
The invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:
Fig. 1 shows the bottle teat in a vertical section;
Fig. 2 shows the same bottle teat in a vertical section offset by 90°;
Fig. 3 shows the same bottle teat in a plan view.
The bottle teat 1 has a hollow suction nipple 2 which, via a hollow transition area 3, is joined to a mounting edge 4 for fixation to the opening area of a bottle.


The suction nipple 2 is of an oval cross-section which tapers towards its outer end region 5 (see Fig. 3). The side 6 of the suction nipple 2 that is closest to the mounting edge 4 has a lesser inclination from the nipple axis than has the opposite side 7 of the suction nipple 2 that is farthest distant from the mounting edge 4. The side 7 of the suction nipple 2 extends to terminate in a Concave rounded portion 8 towards the transition area 3.
The outer end region 5 of the suction nipple 2 is bulged outwardly, i.e. is domed. The outer end region 5 has disposed therein two parallel slots 9, 10 which are oriented perpendicularly to the sides 6, 7 of the suction nipple 2. The slots 9, 10 extend from the outer wall 11 up to the inner wall 12 of the suction nipple 2.
The suction nipple 2 gradually passes over into the transition area 3. Within the transition area 3, the bottle teat 1 gradually expands to the larger diameter of the mounting edge 4. The transition area 3 has a circumferential outer edge 13. A circumferential constriction 14 is present between the edge 13 and the mounting edge 4.
Within the area of the circumferential outer edge 13, a depression 15 exists diametrically opposite the suction nipple 2 disposed eccentrically with respect to the mounting edge 4. The depression 15 accommodates a ventilation valve 16. The ventilation valve 16 has a valve slot 17. The valve slot 17 extends from the outer wall 18 up to the inner wall 19 of the transition area 3.
The inside of the rounded region 8 has a rib 20 which is extended in parallel with the drinking slots 9,10.
The mounting edge 4 comprises a mounting flange 21 which has a circumferential boss 22 on its lower edge.


The interior of the bottle teat 1 houses a cavity 22 which extends from the opening 24 bordered by the mounting flange 4 through the transition area 3 and the suction nipple 2 up to the drinking slots 9,10.
For use, the bottle teat 1 is attached, by means of a threaded ring which is not shown, to a drinking bottle which is not shown and is filled with liquid food. The attachment device is formed, for example, in the way shown in Fig. 4 of DE 197 39 911 C5 and is explained in the pertinent description of figures the disclosure of which is incorporated in the present, application.
During food withdrawal, the drinking bottle is held so as to cause the suction nipple 2 to obliquely face downwards with the suction nipple 2 located at the lower edge of the drinking bottle. The two drinking slots 9, 10 allow for a particularly high flow rate when the infant sucks at the suction nipple. The configuration and dimensions of the ventilation valve 16 also favors a pressure balance and, hence, a high flow rate.


WE CLAIM:
1. A bottle teat of an elastic material, comprising:
a hollow suction nipple (2),
a circumferential mounting edge (4) for fixation to the bottle opening of a
drinking bottle,
a hollow transition zone (3) between the mounting edge (4) and suction
nipple (2),
at least one drinking slot (9,10) oriented in the longitudinal direction of the
suction nipple (2) and extended from the outside (11) up to the inside (12)
of the suction nipple (2) in an outwardly bulged external end region (5) of
the suction nipple (2), and
at least one ventilation valve (16) with a valve slot (17) which is extended
from the outer wall (18) of the transition zone (3) up to the inner wall (19) of
the transition zone (3).
wherein the suction nipple (2) has an oval cross-section,
wherein the suction nipple (2) is disposed eccentrically with respect to the
mounting edge (4) and
which is manufactured from natural rubber or silicone.
2. The bottle teat according to claim 1 wherein the suction nipple (2) has at least two parallel drinking slots (9,10).
3. The bottle teat according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the drinking slot (9, 10) is rectilinear and/or undulated and/ or serrated.
4. The bottle teat according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the suction nipple (2) has a cross-section which tapers off towards the outer end.
5. The bottle teat according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein one side (6) of the suction nipple (2) that is closest to the mounting edge (4) has a lesser


inclination from the nipple axis than has the side (7) of the suction nipple (2) that is farthest distant from the mounting edge (4).
The bottle teat according to any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the suction nipple
(2) has a rounded portion (8) towards the transition zone (3) on the side distant
from the mounting edge (4).
The bottle teat according to claim 6 wherein the rounded portion (8) and, optionally, the adjacent transition zone (3) carry a rib (20) on the inside
The bottle teat according to any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the transition zone
(3) is domed.
The bottle teat according to any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein a circumferential constriction (14) is present between the mounting edge (4) and the transition zone (3).
The bottle teat according to any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein the ventilation valve (16) is located in a depression (15) of the transition zone (3).
The bottle teat according to claim 10 wherein the depression (15) is present in the outer edge (13) of the domed transition zone (3).
The bottle teat according to any one of claims 1 to 11 wherein the ventilation valve (16) is located diametrically opposite the suction nipple (2) in the outer edge (13) of the transition zone (3).
The bottle teat according to any one of claims 1 to 12 wherein the mounting edge (4) has a mounting flange (21).


14. The bottle teat according to claim 13 wherein the mounting flange (21) has a circumferential boss (22) on the inner edge.
15. The bottle teat according to any one of claims 1 to 14 wherein the mounting edge (4) is annularly circular.




ABSTRACT
A bottle teat of an elastic material, comprising: a hollow suction nipple,
a circumferential mounting edge for fixation to the bottle opening of a drinking bottle,
a hollow transition zone between the mounting edge and suction nipple, at least one drinking slot oriented in the longitudinal direction of the suction nipple and extended from the outside up to the inside of the suction nipple in an outwardly bulged external end region of the suction nipple, and at least one ventilation valve with a valve slot which is extended from the outer wall of the transition zone up to the inner wall of the transition zone.
To,
The Controller of Patents,
The Patent Office,
Mumbai

(Fig. 2)


Documents:

496-MUMNP-2008-ABSTRACT(12-6-2013).pdf

496-MUMNP-2008-ABSTRACT(GRANTED)-(25-6-2013).pdf

496-mumnp-2008-abstract.doc

496-mumnp-2008-abstract.pdf

496-MUMNP-2008-CANCELLED PAGE(12-6-2013).pdf

496-MUMNP-2008-CANCELLED PAGES(27-4-2012).pdf

496-MUMNP-2008-CLAIMS(AMENDED)-(12-6-2013).pdf

496-MUMNP-2008-CLAIMS(AMENDED)-(21-6-2013).pdf

496-MUMNP-2008-CLAIMS(AMENDED)-(27-4-2012).pdf

496-MUMNP-2008-CLAIMS(GRANTED)-(25-6-2013).pdf

496-MUMNP-2008-CLAIMS(MARKED COPY)-(21-6-2013).pdf

496-mumnp-2008-claims.doc

496-mumnp-2008-claims.pdf

496-MUMNP-2008-CORRESPONDENCE(21-6-2013).pdf

496-MUMNP-2008-CORRESPONDENCE(24-10-2008).pdf

496-MUMNP-2008-CORRESPONDENCE(27-4-2012).pdf

496-mumnp-2008-correspondence(5-1-2009).pdf

496-MUMNP-2008-CORRESPONDENCE(IPO)-(25-6-2013).pdf

496-mumnp-2008-correspondence-others.pdf

496-mumnp-2008-correspondence-received.pdf

496-mumnp-2008-description (complete).pdf

496-MUMNP-2008-DESCRIPTION(GRANTED)-(25-6-2013).pdf

496-MUMNP-2008-DRAWING(12-6-2013).pdf

496-MUMNP-2008-DRAWING(GRANTED)-(25-6-2013).pdf

496-mumnp-2008-drawings.pdf

496-MUMNP-2008-FORM 1(12-6-2013).pdf

496-MUMNP-2008-FORM 1(14-3-2008).pdf

496-MUMNP-2008-FORM 1(21-6-2013).pdf

496-MUMNP-2008-FORM 1(24-10-2008).pdf

496-mumnp-2008-form 1(5-1-2009).pdf

496-mumnp-2008-form 1(5-6-2008).pdf

496-mumnp-2008-form 13(24-10-2008).pdf

496-mumnp-2008-form 18(14-3-2008).pdf

496-MUMNP-2008-FORM 18(24-10-2008).pdf

496-MUMNP-2008-FORM 2(GRANTED)-(25-6-2013).pdf

496-MUMNP-2008-FORM 2(TITLE PAGE)-(12-6-2013).pdf

496-mumnp-2008-form 2(title page)-(14-3-2008).pdf

496-MUMNP-2008-FORM 2(TITLE PAGE)-(24-10-2008).pdf

496-MUMNP-2008-FORM 2(TITLE PAGE)-(GRANTED)-(25-6-2013).pdf

496-MUMNP-2008-FORM 26(12-6-2013).pdf

496-mumnp-2008-form 3(14-3-2008).pdf

496-MUMNP-2008-FORM 3(24-10-2008).pdf

496-MUMNP-2008-FORM 3(27-4-2012).pdf

496-MUMNP-2008-FORM 5(24-10-2008).pdf

496-MUMNP-2008-FORM PCT-ISA-237(27-4-2012).pdf

496-mumnp-2008-form-1.pdf

496-mumnp-2008-form-18.pdf

496-mumnp-2008-form-2.doc

496-mumnp-2008-form-2.pdf

496-mumnp-2008-form-3.pdf

496-mumnp-2008-form-5.pdf

496-mumnp-2008-form-pct-ib-301.pdf

496-mumnp-2008-form-pct-ib-306.pdf

496-mumnp-2008-form-pct-ib-311.pdf

496-MUMNP-2008-MARKED COPY(12-6-2013).pdf

496-MUMNP-2008-OTHER DOCUMENT(12-6-2013).pdf

496-MUMNP-2008-PETITION UNDER RULE 137(27-4-2012).pdf

496-MUMNP-2008-PETITION UNDER RULE-137(21-6-2013).pdf

496-mumnp-2008-power of authority(18-6-2008).pdf

496-MUMNP-2008-REPLY TO EXAMINATION REPORT(27-4-2012).pdf

496-MUMNP-2008-REPLY TO HEARING(12-6-2013).pdf

496-MUMNP-2008-REPLY TO HEARING(21-6-2013).pdf

496-MUMNP-2008-SPECIFICATION(AMENDED)-(12-6-2013).pdf

496-MUMNP-2008-US DOCUMENT(27-4-2012).pdf

496-mumnp-2008-wo international publication report(14-3-2008).pdf

abstract1.jpg


Patent Number 256492
Indian Patent Application Number 496/MUMNP/2008
PG Journal Number 26/2013
Publication Date 28-Jun-2013
Grant Date 25-Jun-2013
Date of Filing 14-Mar-2008
Name of Patentee MAPA GMBH GUMMI-UND PLASTIKWERKE
Applicant Address INDUSTRIESTRASSE 21-25 27404 ZEVEN,
Inventors:
# Inventor's Name Inventor's Address
1 MARR GUENTER ROSENHOEHE 4, D-21224 ROSENGARTEN,
2 DU CHESNE ALEXANDER KIRCHSTRASSE 15, D-27404 HEESLINGEN,
3 BERGER STEFFEN GAUSSWEG 14A, D-27404 ZEVEN,
4 BLANKEN HEINER STIEGLUST 19, D-27404 WEERTZEN,
PCT International Classification Number A61J11/02
PCT International Application Number PCT/EP2006/007627
PCT International Filing date 2006-08-02
PCT Conventions:
# PCT Application Number Date of Convention Priority Country
1 202005014621.8 2005-09-12 Germany