SAMARTGIS JIM (AU)
US20100193459A1 | 2010-08-05 | |||
US9050242B1 | 2015-06-09 | |||
US5411155A | 1995-05-02 | |||
US5361918A | 1994-11-08 | |||
US8113364B1 | 2012-02-14 | |||
US6029803A | 2000-02-29 |
CLAIMS: 1 . A baby bottle assembly comprising: a bottle including a container having an open end removably attached to a teat piece through which liquid can be dispensed; and a compartment removably attached to the bottle, the compartment being divided into a storage chamber and a teat casing section, wherein the compartment includes an attachment configuration at a first end to attach the compartment to an upper end of the bottle so as to accommodate a teat of the teat piece in the teat casing section. 2. The baby bottle assembly claimed in claim 1 , wherein the compartment has a first opening at the first end to receive the teat, and a second opening at a second end opposite the first end through which contents is received into the storage chamber. 3. The baby bottle assembly claimed in claim 2, wherein the second opening is provided with a closure member. 4. The baby bottle assembly claimed in claim 3, wherein closure member is a lid having an aperture and a pivoting flap. 5. The baby bottle assembly claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the attachment configuration is provided at an inner peripheral wall of the first opening of the compartment. 6. The baby bottle assembly claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein an external periphery of the teat piece or the container comprises a corresponding attachment configuration for engaging with the attachment configuration of the compartment. 7. The baby bottle assembly claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the compartment includes an internal dividing wall that divides the storage compartment from the teat casing. 8. The baby bottle assembly claimed in claim 7, wherein the dividing wall is profiled to follow a shape of the teat. 9. The baby bottle assembly claimed in claim 8, wherein the dividing wall has a profile approximating a cone with a hollow side facing the teat casing. 10. The baby bottle assembly claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the teat piece includes a collar with which the teat is fitted, the collar having an internal thread for attaching to the container, and an external corresponding attachment configuration for attaching with the compartment. 1 1 . The baby bottle assembly claimed in claim 10, wherein the attachment configuration on the collar is a cam surface. 12. The baby bottle assembly claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein a lower end of the container steps inward to define a base having a lesser diameter than that of a main portion of the body before the step. 13. The baby bottle assembly claimed in claim 12, wherein the step comprises a cam surface that is configured to removably attach with a compartment. |
This invention relates, in general terms, to improvements in baby bottles for use in the feeding of babies and infants. More particularly, but not exclusively, the invention relates to an improved baby feeding bottle assembly.
Background
The practice of feeding babies or infants by use of a bottle or the like container which has contained therein a liquid which is then retrievable through a nipple means or the like is widespread these days. Such bottles or containers are particularly suited for situations wherein the baby or infant has been "weaned" or, in the alternative, where it is inconvenient or not available for the nursing mother to breast feed that baby or infant. Such bottles include provision for releasable engagement of the feeding apparatus, as for example a teat or nipple, with the body of the bottle itself. A typical bottle of this general type has an open upper end which is threaded for engagement with a teat or nipple ring, which releasably attaches the teat or nipple to the open upper end. With feeding of babies or infants, hygiene is of paramount importance. Bottles or containers of this type are generally of a substantially cylindrical configuration and are of a size and shape intended to have contained or located therein a preselected and known quantity of the liquid. Such bottles or containers may also be appropriately marked to indicate the actual volume of liquid held or contained therein, to facilitate determination of the amount of food actually being ingested by the baby or infant. When travelling outside the home, users will also carry containers filled with baby or infant milk powder to mix with the water in the bottles to make liquid formula ready for consumption. Those containers may be compartmentalised to hold the correct predetermined amount of powder to mix with a corresponding amount of water.
The present invention seeks to overcome the problems and disadvantages associated with the prior art arrangements.
Summary
In accordance with the present invention, therefore, there is provided a baby bottle assembly comprising: a bottle including a container having an open end removably attached to a teat piece through which liquid can be dispensed; and a compartment removably attached to the bottle, the compartment being divided into a storage chamber and a teat casing section, wherein the compartment includes an attachment configuration at a first end to attach the compartment to an upper end of the bottle so as to accommodate a teat of the teat piece in the teat casing section.
The invention has the advantage of providing an assembly which is readily transportable, easily dismantled for use and/or cleaning, maintains cleanliness integrity and includes provision for carriage of a supply of baby formula powder or the like.
Brief Description of the Drawings
In order that the invention be more clearly understood and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to preferred embodiments of an assembly in accordance with the present invention. The ensuing description is given by way of non- limitative example only and is with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Figure 1 is a top perspective view of a first embodiment of an assembly in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment of Figure 1 , showing the various parts making up the assembly separated;
Figure 3 is a top view of the embodiment of Figure 1 ;
Figure 4 is a side view of the embodiment of Figure 1 ;
Figure 5 is a sectional view of an alternative embodiment of an assembly in accordance with the present invention, taken along the line 5-5 in Figure 3; and Figure 6 is a top perspective view of the embodiment of Figure 5, partially separated.
Description of the Preferred Embodiments
The drawings illustrate two embodiments of a baby or infant bottle assembly 10 in accordance with the present invention where Figures 1 to 4 illustrate a bottle assembly having a single storage compartment while Figures 5 and 6 illustrate a container with two storage compartments, wherein the storage compartments are identical in the second embodiment. It is understood that where reference is made to the term 'baby' bottle or 'baby' bottle assembly, the term 'baby' can be considered interchangeable with the term 'infant', and vice versa. The baby bottle assembly 10 is made up of a number of individual components, adapted to be interconnected or connected together as shown, for example, in Figure 1 . The principal components, to be described hereinafter in more detail, include a bottle 12 comprising a container 1 for holding liquid and a teat piece 26 removably attached to an open end 1 1 at the top of the container 1 . Teat piece 26 includes a liquid dispensing means, namely teat/nipple 20, for dispensing liquid where the teat 20 is fitted to a collar 30 which is adapted, in use, to be releasably attachable to the container 1 . In the embodiment shown, the teat 20 is interposed and clamped between the collar 30 and the top opening 1 1 at a neck portion 3 of the container.
An attachable compartment 40, also referred to herein as a 'formula holder', is intended to retain for use when required a predetermined amount of a suitable substance (generally in the form of a formula milk powder). The formula holder can be removably attached to the bottle, namely to either the container 1 or teat piece 26 so that an amount of formula powder can be stored together with the bottle 12 in the baby bottle assembly 10. The idea is that, when it is time for the baby or infant to be fed, the powdered substance stored in the formula holder 40 is simply poured into the container 1 , the appropriate amount of water is added to the container (or the container is previously filled), and the mixture agitated to dissolve the powdered substance to create the liquid formula which is to be fed to the baby or infant.
Furthermore, the formula holder 40 not only provides an enclosed space (substantially sealed against moisture) in which contents such as powder can be safely stored, but it also provides a means of protecting the teat 20 by enclosing the teat in a casing integral with the formula holder 40. This is achieved by the formula holder 40 being divided into at least two sections: a storage chamber 46 and a teat casing/teat casing section 47. The first section of the storage chamber 46 is for receiving for storage a supply of a substance in powder form, typically formula milk powder, while the second section, the teat casing 47, serves to receive, enclose and retain the teat, in a hygienic manner when not in use. The sections 46, 47 are separated by a shaped internal dividing wall 45, as shown in Figure 5.
Dividing wall 45 is profiled to follow the shape of the teat 20. As can be seen in Figures 2 and 5, the wall 45 has a shape of a cone with its hollow cavity facing the teat casing section 47 so as to be able to accommodate the teat 20 in the cone part. On its other side the wall 45 at the bottom of the cone shape forms an annular valley 48 in which powdered contents can sit in the storage chamber 46. In another embodiment, that is not shown in the drawings, the storage chamber 46 may itself be further compartmentalized and divided into two or three or more separated sub-compartments. This would allow for measured dosages of, for example, powdered formula to be pre-measured and filled into each sub-compartment so that the correct amount of formula can be directly added from one sub-compartment to a pre-measured amount of water in the container 1 .
Formula holder 40 is removably attached to the bottle 12 by an
attachment/engagement configuration that in the embodiment shown is in the form of a sinusoidal cam surface or cam wall 44 extending around the periphery of at least one end of the formula holder 40, and specifically around the open end of the teat casing section 47. In the embodiments illustrated the formula holder 40 attaches to the outside of collar 30 and specifically engages with a complementary cam, or wave, shape on outer surface 34 of collar 30. The complementary fitting cam surfaces 34, 44 guide correct engagement of the formula holder 40 with bottle 12.
In fitting the formula holder's cam wall 44 onto the outer surface 34 of collar 30, the wall 44 exhibits material resilience in that it stretches over an interfering diameter on the collar and then relaxes back into its pre-stressed state. The interfering diameter is defined by protruding bead or ring 35 that forms an undercut 36 whereby cam wall 44 stretches over protruding ring 35 and rests in the undercut 36. The protruding ring 35 is positioned above the cam surface 34, which is itself raised to form an abutment against which the end of the holder's cam wall 44 can locate.
Twisting the formula holder 40 on the cam surface 34 of collar 30 assists in removing the cam wall 44 off the undercut 36. Specifically, twisting the formula holder will urge the cam wall 44 to ride up the raised sides of the collar's cam surface 34 and disengage the engagement between the formula holder 40 and collar 30.
It is understood that while the embodiments described herein show a
compartment/formula holder 40 attached to an exterior of collar 30, the baby bottle assembly could be designed such that the formula holder 40 instead engages with an upper end of the container 1 , for example neck portion 3. In such an embodiment, the attachment configuration, such as the protruding ring 35 and undercut 36, will be provided on the container (or neck portion) rather than on the collar 30 as shown in the drawings.
The formula holder 40 is preferably of a substantially cylindrical shape, increasing from a top to a bottom and has both ends open. A first open end is located at the peripheral cam surface 44 and leads into the teat casing section 47. At a location spaced from the top end thereof there is formed a flange 41 . At or in the vicinity of the upper or top end thereof there is provided a second open end 42, that is opposite the first end and leads into the storage chamber 46. Second end 42 has a reduced diameter compared to open end 44, and has a plurality of external threads 43 formed thereon. The threads 43 allow for releasable interconnection with a lid 50, which sits on flange 41 .
Lid 50 is releasably attachable to the formula holder 40, and a flap 60 pivotably attaches to the lid 50 to close an opening 53 in the lid 50. When removed, lid 50 allows for filling the storage chamber 46. When attached, lid aperture 53 (that can be shaped to act as a spout) can be opened by lifting flap 60 to allow contents to be poured out of the storage chamber. If the contents are to be poured directly into the container 1 , formula holder must first be removed from bottle 12, followed by removing the teat piece 26 to gain access to the interior of container 1 .
The lid 50 is preferably formed, in any known manner and using any known means, of a plastics material. It is, in the preferred embodiment of Figure 2, of a substantially cylindrical shape, including an end wall 51 and a peripheral sidewall 52 extending substantially normally thereto. The end wall 51 includes an aperture 53, preferably circular in shape with a spout wall, and preferably off-set so as not to be centrally disposed therein.
At a location spaced apart from, and diagonally opposite to, the aperture 53 there is included a pivot support 54 which is adapted, in use, to receive and releasably retain, for pivotal movement relative to the lid 50, the cap or flap 60 therefor. The peripheral sidewall 52 includes, at or in the vicinity of the lower end thereof, an internally threaded section 55, adapted to co-operate with the threads 43 of the formula holder 40, to allow for releasable interconnection of formula holder 40 and lid 50. The lid 50 further includes, extending upwardly from the top surface 51 thereof and around the periphery of the aperture 53, a wall 56 defining the aperture 53. The lid 50 includes, at or in the vicinity of the aperture 53, a finger indent 55.
The flap 60 is substantially circular in cross-section and is adapted, in use, to overlap and be in pivotal connection with the lid 50, to afford a protective cover for the aperture 53 of the lid 50. The flap 60 includes a flat or straight section 61 extending around a portion of the periphery thereof.
The flap 60 includes, in like manner to the lid 50, an end wall 61 and a peripheral sidewall 62 extending substantially normally thereto. There is formed, on the underside of the end wall 61 , a substantially circular protrusion 63 which, in use, cooperates with the aperture 53 to plug wall 56 of lid 50, whereby to assist in sealing of the lid 50.
The container 1 is in the form of a bottle, having a substantially cylindrical shape when viewed in cross-section, which is open at one end at the top opening 11 and closed at the other. It should be understood, however, that the size and overall shape of the container 1 does not form part of the invention. In respect of the preferred embodiments, however, the container 1 will have a capacity of at least 1 25 m l , 1 50 m l o r 260 ml, depending on the sizes chosen for a commercial range of baby bottles, and will preferably have graduations or markings (not shown) on the external surface thereof, giving an indication of the amount of liquid in the container 1 at any particular time.
The container 1 will preferably be constructed from either a plastics material or glass, using any known method and means. If plastics bottles are used, such as
polypropylene, it is preferred that the plastics are BPA-free, namely free of bisphenol A which can be harmful for humans. Alternatively, other materials such as Tritan ® could be used. It should be understood, however, that the actual material of construction and the method of formation of the container 1 do not constitute part of the invention. Preferably, however, the container 1 will be formed, of plastics material or a glass, in a molding operation.
The container 1 includes a main body portion 2 which is closed at its lower end opposite its upper open end 1 1 . Neck portion 3 is of a reduced diameter when compared with the remainder of the overall container 1 . The neck portion 3 includes external threads 4 extending over at least part of the length dimension of the container neck portion 3. At the junction of the main body portion 2 and the neck portion 3 there is formed a peripheral shoulder 5.
In the preferred embodiments shown the main body portion 2 of the container 1 has a width/diameter which is other than constant over the height dimension thereof. Main body portion 2, with the neck portion 3 of an integral construction, is made up of upper and lower sections 6 and 7 respectively, where upper section 6 steps down inwardly to define the lower section 7, namely the base.
At the junction or step of joining of the respective upper section 6 and base 7 of the main body portion 2 there is formed, extending around the periphery of the container 1 , a shaped projection or cam surface 8 that follows a sinusoidal path.
The base 7 is of a lesser diameter than that of the upper section 6, merging therewith at/via the cam surface 8. The base 7 could be externally threaded at foot 9, along at least a portion of the height dimension thereof. The closed end of the container 1 is substantially flat or provides a substantially flat surface to allow the container 1 to be free-standing, for purposes of storage, filling with liquid, etc.
The collar 30 is preferably of a substantially cylindrical shape and open at both ends, and is in fact of a complementary shape and dimensions to the neck portion 3 of the container 1 , to allow the collar 30 to be releasably associated therewith. In that regard the collar 30 includes internal threads 31 extending along at least part of its length, where internal threads 31 are complementary to the threads 4 of the neck portion 3 of the container 1 .
In like manner to the container 1 , the collar 30 comprises respective upper and lower sections 32 and 33, of differing diameters, with the junction or step therebetween including a cam surface or formation 34 extending around the entire periphery of the collar 30, and in the embodiments shown following a sinusoidal path, and a protruding ring 35 with undercut 36. Cam surface 34 is of a similar shape to the surface 8 of container 1 where both the surface 34 on the collar 30, and surface 8 on the container base 7, facilitate respective interconnection of collar 30 and base 7 with formula holder means 40. Accordingly, and as illustrated in the embodiments of Figures 5 and 6, multiple formula holders 40 can be attached to a bottle 12. One formula holder 40 can be attached, as in the first embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 4, to an upper end of the bottle 12 to cover and act as cap for the teat 20. Figures 5 and 6 illustrate a further/second formula holder 40 that can be attached to the base 7 of the bottle 12, in an orientation that is upside down to that of the first/upper formula holder 40. In this orientation teat casing section remains empty aside from the base and is not filled with any part of the bottle 12, but storage compartment can still be used to fill and store with contents, such as formula powder. Alternatively, the teat casing could be used to store a spare teat, as may be required. In this embodiment, lid 50 and flap 60 locate on the underside of the baby bottle assembly 1 to form the base on which this embodiment of the assembly 1 can stand upright.
Similar to the attachment means on collar 30, base 7 of bottle 12 has cam surface 8 and also a protruding ring 35 with undercut 36. This allows the cam wall 44 of the second formula holder 40 to be attached to the base 7 of bottle 12 as described above. The teat 20, can take the form of any known baby bottle teat or artificial nipple, and may be formed using known materials including an elastic material, as for example a soft synthetic resin or the like, or a silicone rubber, isoprene rubber, a thermoplastic elastomer or even natural rubber. It should be understood, however, that the manner of and/or material of construction do not form part of the invention. The teat or artificial nipple will preferably be in the form of a substantially conical, hollow body overall.
The teat 20 includes a base or ring section 21 , which widens so as to allow for ready attachment to the neck 3 of the container 1 , being in use removably fixed in place, in a leak proof manner, to the container 1 by co-operation with the collar 30. The teat 20 includes an areola section 22 formed integrally with (as for example in a one-piece moulding) the base section 21 and extending upwardly from that base section 21 whilst progressively gradually narrowing in diameter. The liquid dispensing means 20 also includes a nipple section 23 which extends from the areola section 22 up to a tip, narrowing slightly and gradually over the length/height dimension thereof.
In a preferred embodiment as shown, for example, in Figure 2, the base section 21 of the teat 20 includes a plurality of interconnected web and flat portions, over that section from the open end thereof to the junction with the areola section 22. The areola section 22 preferably includes, at or in the vicinity of the centre thereof, a plurality of small bumps 24 at spaced-apart locations around the circumference or periphery thereof as a point of reference to assist a baby to properly latch on to the teat. The teat 20 further includes, located substantially centrally of the closed top thereof, at least one aperture 25 (of an enlarged size) to allow for egress/extraction of liquid from the container 1 .
In an embodiment the wall thickness of the areola section 22 of the teat 20 is greater than that of the top or nipple section 23. The wall thickness at the
boundary/junction between the areola section 22 and the nipple section 23 may be less than that of the areola section 22, yet larger than that of the nipple section 23, resulting in there being formed, at that boundary/junction, a line or band of weakening or of enhanced flexibility.
The construction/configuration of the teat 20 and collar 30 is such as to ensure that, when engaged with the container 1 , with the collar 30 mating with the neck 3 of that container 1 , the teat 20 is clamped and retained centrally relative to the container 1 , ensuring efficiency of operation thereof in an effectively leak proof manner.
The cam mating and complementary surfaces 33 and 44 of the collar 30 and formula holder 40 facilitate mating and/or separation thereof to allow for access to the container interior and to re-assemble the formula holder and bottle 12 as a unitary assembly that is more easily transportable and the components are kept together. In like manner the surfaces 8 of the container 1 and 44 of formula holder 40 facilitate a further interconnection of container 1 and formula holder 40 that enables a double-ended assembly for extra storage (as shown in Figures 5 and 6).
The configuration of the formula holder 40, with teat casing cavity 47 for receiving and shielding the teat 20, means that the teat 20 can be kept clean and hygienic prior to use as it is encased in an enclosed environment in the teat casing section of the formula holder. The integrity of a clean, or even sterile, teat can thereby be maintained within the unitary compartment of the formula holder, which also functions to store contents. The teat 20 can enter the cavity 47 in a vertical manner, without puckering.
The enlarged neck 3 of the container 1 facilitates for ease of filling with liquid and/or formula.
In one embodiment the teat 20 will have at least its nipple section textured, to better replicate for the baby or infant the natural nipple of the mother/breast feeder.
The baby bottle assembly 1 is such that, when being used to dispense or /pour formula from the formula holder 40 to the container 1 , the flap 60 will stay or remain open during pouring, rather than trying to close. A positive action is in fact used to both open, and close, that flap 60 relative to the lid 50. The arrangement of the assembly further is such that, after the formula is poured into the container 1 , and the baby or infant then to be fed, the formula holder 40 itself can be releasably attachable to the base of the container 1 (see Figure 5) so as to retain the formula holder from being misplaced but to also remove it from being in the way of a baby or infant feeding. Such a facility minimises the likelihood of loss or misplacement of the formula holder 40. Additionally, the extra length of the second formula holder can create a better balance of the bottle during feeding.
The shaping of the container 1 is such as to allow for ready gripping thereof, either by the person feeding the baby or infant or, as the child gets older and better co- ordinated, by the baby or infant itself. To this end, upper section 6 exhibits a slightly narrowing waste that allows better purchase by and adult or child's hand.
Finally, it is to be understood that the aforegoing description refers merely to preferred embodiments of invention, and that variations and modifications will be possible thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the ambit of which is to be determined from the following claims.