RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of US provisional patent application number 62/023,104, filed 10 July 2014.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to baby bottles, in general and, in particular, to a disposable plastic bottle or tube for feeding babies and infants. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Typically, babies and infants are fed by breastfeeding or from bottles. Conventional feeding bottles are usually relatively expensive, and are made of rigid materials for multiple usage. When a mother collects breast milk for later use, it is collected into one container, transferred to a storage container, and then poured into the feeding bottle. Most feeding bottles require the baby to release air into the bottle, while eating, to balance the vacuum built up in the rigid bottle due to food extraction. It is generally assumed that air release causes stomach aches, unless the bottle is properly vented. Multi-use bottles also require cleaning and sterilization.

Disposable bottles for feeding babies are also known. These typically include plastic bags mounted in a rigid, multi-use plastic holder to which a nipple in a collar is attached.

The feeding tube of the present invention offers convenience in feeding babies and infants. It also permits feeding baby fresh food, storing the ingredients and mixing just prior to use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention presents a flexible, collapsible, disposable plastic container, preferably in the form of a tube, with an integral nipple for feeding babies and infants. Preferably, the tube is made from a thin flexible film with a self-sealing thin film valve through which material for delivery to the baby is introduced into the tube.

The tube may contain baby's formula, infant support food, milk, water, drinks, such as juices, or any soft food. The tubes are primarily suited for babies but may also be adapted for feeding any individuals in need, such as hospital patients, older people, , or others and even animals. Hitch hikers, surfers or travelers can use this tube, as well.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the tube production is based on the technology of toothpaste tubes or cosmetics tubes. The valve is attached to the tube as the tube is welded. A nipple for feeding or dispensing material from the tube is integrally formed or mounted on the tip of the tube.

In one aspect of the invention, the valve is an improved self-sealing multi-use film valve with a front and back panel. The front and back panels are sealed on two sides to define a duct therebetween. The valve sides can be design in a "V" shape, in parallel lines, or in any other shape. Preferably, the duct is bent or creased in at least one place, to provide an improved seal. The duct is opened by inserting a separator, for example, a straw, a needle, a funnel, or any other filling apparatus, into the duct. The normal state of the valve is closed. Pressure of the material in the tube surrounding the valve applies pressure on both the front and back panels of the film valve, causing it to close.

The nipple from which the content of the tube can be extracted can be made of the same material as the body of the tube, where each part has its own hardness, in the same way that a toothpaste tube has different hardness in different areas. The nipple can be covered, as by means of a cap, to seal it, to keep it from dirt and pollutants and to create a stable posture for the tube. If desired, the nipple can be formed with a one way valve to prevent leakage and back air flow.

Liquid can be introduced into the tube, for example, in the case where a mother collects breast milk and pours it into the tube for later use. Alternatively, material can be added to the tube at the time of manufacture or at the time of use. For example, baby formula can be introduced into the tube and sold in the tube, which serves as regular or vacuum packaging. For feeding, liquid is introduced into the tube to dissolve the baby formula.

The tube can be transparent, or partly transparent, to allow the user to observe the contents within the tube, and the amount of the contents remaining. Level marks can be added on the tube for ease of assessing the amount of material remaining in the tube.

Multiple nipples can be provided on a single tube, if desired, in case one of the nipples gets blocked or clogged. In another aspect of the invention, separate compartments are included within one tube for different materials that are kept separate from each other until the time of consumption, or to maintain maximum freshness before the materials are mixed together.

There is provided according to the present invention, a flexible tube including a flexible tube body having one open end with edges sealable to one another, a flexible flat film valve sealingly mounted in the tube body between the sealable edges, the valve including a flexible thin film front panel; a flexible thin film rear panel sealed to the front panel along two opposite sides thereof to form a normally closed, self-sealing thin film valve having an openable duct having first and second open ends; the first end of the duct being openable into the tube body; and a dispensing device sealingly affixed to a dispensing end of the tube body for dispensing contents from the tube body.

There is also provided, according to the invention, a method for making a flexible tube, the method including providing a flexible tube body having one open end with edges sealable to one another, sealingly mounting a flexible flat film valve in the tube body between the sealable edges, the valve including a flexible thin film front panel; a flexible thin film rear panel sealed to the front panel along two opposite sides thereof to form a normally closed, self-sealing thin film valve having an openable duct having first and second open ends; the first end of the duct being openable into the tube body; and sealingly affixing a dispensing device to the tube body for dispensing contents from the tube body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. With specific reference now to the drawings in detail, it is emphasized that the particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of the preferred embodiments of the present invention in a non- limiting manner. In this regard, no attempt is made to show structural details of the invention in more detail than is necessary for a fundamental understanding of the invention, the description taken with the drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how the several forms of the invention may be embodied in practice. Figure 1 is a schematic plan view illustration of a disposable baby feeding tube with an integrally formed nipple and a cap, constructed and operative in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

Figures 2a is a detail perspective view of the valve of the tube of Figure 1;

Figures 2b to 2d are schematic perspective, front sectional and side sectional illustrations, respectively, of a tube according to the invention with a straw inserted through the valve;

Figure 3a is a cross sectional view of the valve showing equal pressure on both the front and back panel of the valve from liquid in the tube;

Figure 3b is a cross-sectional view of a valve with additional folds to prevent leakage, or air from entering the tube;

Figure 4a is a schematic illustration of a disposable baby tube according to another embodiment of the invention, having a nipple and covered valve;

Figure 4b is a schematic illustration of a disposable baby tube according to another embodiment of the invention, with a nipple on a corner of the tube;

Figure 5a is a schematic illustration of a disposable baby tube according to a further embodiment of the invention, formed like a toothpaste tube;

Figure 5b is a schematic view of the tube of Figure 5a with a nipple cap;

Figure 6 is a cross sectional view of the tube of Figure 5a;

Figure 7a is a schematic illustration of a disposable baby tube according to another embodiment of the present invention, with formula packed in the tube under vacuum;

Figure 7b is a cross sectional view of the tube of Figure 7a under vacuum;

Figure 8a is a schematic illustration of a disposable baby tube according to a further embodiment of the present invention, with a one way valve in the nipple;

Figure 8b is a detail illustration of the nipple of the tube of Figure 8a;

Figures 9a and 9b are schematic front view and side sectional illustrations of a disposable tube according to further embodiments of the invention, with symmetric front and back welding of the valve to the tube along the entire width of the valve;

Figures 10a to 10c are schematic front plan view, rear plan view and side sectional illustrations of a disposable tube according to further embodiments of the invention, with asymmetric front and back welding of the valve to the tube along the entire width of the valve; Figures lOd and lOe are plan and views of a disposable tube according to further embodiments of the invention, with asymmetric front and back welding of the valve to the tube along the entire width of the valve;

Figures lOf to lOh are schematic front and rear illustrations of a disposable tube according to further embodiments of the invention, with asymmetric front and back welding of the valve to the tube along a partial width of the valve;

Figure 11 is a schematic illustration of a portion of a flexible baby feeding tube with multiple valves, according to other embodiments of the invention;

Figure 12 is a schematic illustration of a portion of a flexible baby feeding tube with multiple nipples, according to other embodiments of the invention; and

Figures 13a and 13b are schematic illustrations of a portion of a flexible baby feeding tube with multiple valves and multiple compartments, according to other embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a self-sealing, flexible plastic baby feeding tube for baby and infant feeding, including a normally closed re-sealable multi-use thin film valve for filling the tube, and an integral dispensing device, such as a flexible nipple, for drinking and/or sucking the food from the tube. For purposes of the present invention, a "tube" is any flexible, hollow container that has a sealable end and a dispensing end. The sealable end is an open end with edges that can be sealed to one another. The tube can be substantially cylindrical, rectangular, box-like, or of any other shape. Preferably, the dispensing device is integrally formed with the tube on the dispensing end. Alternatively, the dispensing device can be affixed to the tube in any other fashion. Suitable thin film, normally closed valves, that can easily be opened, are described, for example, in PCT patent application number PCT/IL2015/050707 to the same inventor as this invention.

The valve is a flexible, flat, thin polymeric foils assembly formed of two flexible foils sealed or welded on two opposite sides to define a sealable duct therebetween. The flat self-sealing valve can be made, for example, of plastic-bag sheet material and the tube with the nipple can be made by a conventional toothpaste tube technology. The valve is attached to the tube while welding the edge of the tube. The disposable feeding tube can be made of inexpensive materials and by a relatively inexpensive process. The tube is made to contain liquids, semi-liquids, powders and solids. The valve defining an openable duct is provided to add substances to the tube, for example water. The normal state of the duct is closed, due to the geometry and the material of the valve, and due to the pressure of material in the tube on the front and back panels of the flat duct. This pressure urges the valve to close and provides sealing of the tube with liquid or other substance inside. The duct is opened by inserting a separator, for example, a straw, a needle, a funnel or other filling apparatus, into the duct. The contents of the tube are removed from the interior of a tube via the nipple or any other dispensing device integrally formed with, or affixed to the tube. The contents of the tube are removed from the interior of a tube by applying suction to the nipple or by applying pressure on the tube. The nipple, itself, may contain a flat check valve or aortic- like valve to prevent leakage and to prevent back flow. The nipple with the check valve can be opened for use by removing a protective cover and adding suction to the nipple, by pressing the sides of the nipple together, or by pushing the nipple slightly into the tube.

Before explaining in detail, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. For clarity, non-essential elements were omitted from the drawings.

The tubes of the present invention are suitable for packaging a liquid, gas, powders and solids suitable for industry use or food consumption, with suitable dispensing devices. As used herein, "liquid" means any product that is a flowable non-solid product including but not limited to, aqueous solutions, solutions having a determinable viscosity, emulsions, pastes, gels and dispersions.

These tubes may be frozen, heated, baked or micro-waved as needed for the contents contained within. The tube body of the baby feeding tube is formed of a flexible, plastic film material, for example, low or high density polyethylene, nylon, polyester, polyurethane, and laminates. The film thickness may vary throughout the tube. For example, the nipple and/or the valve may be made from thicker, more rubbery material than the rest of the tube. If desired, the tube body can be made, at least in part, from a flexible, transparent material, thus allowing the interior space of the tube and its contents to be visually observable through at least a portion of the tube body.

Referring now to Figure 1, there is shown a schematic plan view illustration of a disposable baby feeding tube 10 constructed and operative in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Tube 10 includes a flat film tube body 14 and a flat film valve 12 sealingly mounted in a sealed edge of the tube. This allows liquids and other substances to be easily introduced into the tube. Once the straw or tubing is removed, the valve 12 closes and prevents leakage from the tube. Tube 10 also includes an integral nipple 16 or spout for dispensing the material from the tube. The nipple 16 may be made from the same material as tube 10, and it can be thicker and more rubbery or softer then the tube, and can be shaped as desired, for example, to imitate the natural contours of a mother's nipple. A cap 20 can be put on the nipple to isolate the nipple from contaminants and to create a convenient base for standing the tube upright. Level marks (not shown) can be added on or in the tube for tracking the amount of material remaining in the tube.

Figure 2a is a detail view of the valve 12 in the baby feeding tube. The valve is sealed between the edges of the plastic films forming the tube. The valve 12 consists of a back panel 1 1 and a front panel 13. The front and back panels of the valve are sealed to one another, as by welding, along two sides, here illustrated as two side edges 14, 15, forming a normally closed duct 16 between them. The seals can be parallel to each other or can be angled, for example to form a "V" shape, where the top and bottom of the valve remain open, forming the duct 16. At least one edge inside the tube 10, is not sealed, permitting flow communication between the duct 16 and the interior of tube 10. The front and back panels can be of the same length, or one can be longer than the other for convenient opening of the valve. According to the illustrated embodiment, rear panel 13 is longer than front panel 1 1. This makes it easier to insert a separator into duct 16 in order to open the valve.

The duct 16 is opened by insertion of a straw, needle, funnel or any other suitable filling device 21 into duct 16, between the front and rear panels. This can be seen, for example, in Figures 2b to 2d, schematic perspective, front sectional and side sectional illustrations, respectively, of tube 10 with a straw inserted through the valve.

According to the invention, when closed the valve prevents the contents within the tube from being released through the duct. The valve is opened by insertion of a straw, or needle, a funnel or other filling apparatus. When the valve is open, material can be added to the contents of the tube or material within the tube can be removed from the tube via the straw or filling device, or poured out through the open valve. When the straw or other filling device is removed, the valve 12 closes. Thus, under pressure of the material inside the tube, the sealing of the valve is tightened, as shown by the arrows in Figure 3. Preferably, the valve is also manually pressed to ensure sealing closure, although this is not required. However, the contents of the tube are dispensed from the tube through the dispensing device, here a hole in the nipple, when a baby sucks on the nipple.

To further improve the performance of the valve 22 and to prevent leakage of the valve of the present invention, preferably one or more creases or bends 28 are added across the valve. Fig 3b is a cross sectional view of a film valve with several creases 28 along the length of the valve. The creases or bends close the duct at those locations, thereby preventing leakage through the valve after the opening device is removed. The creases 28 in Figure 3b are parallel to one another. In other embodiments, the creases 28 are at various angles relative to one another. Any desired angles of the creases relative to one another and relative to the edges of the tube can be formed, depending on the material in the tube and its viscosity. The front and back panels of the valve can be of the same length or one can be longer than the other. In the illustrated embodiment, panel 13 is longer than 1 1, for easier opening of the valve. If desired, a check valve can be disposed in the dispensing device, as described below.

Figure 4a is a schematic illustration of a disposable baby tube 40 according to another embodiment of the invention, having a nipple 46 and a covered valve (not shown). A cover 44 is provided to cover and protect the valve and prevent dirt from collecting on the valve when not in use or to maintain vacuum in the tube, if required, for better conservation of the contents in the tube. An arrangement is provided adjacent the valve on the end of the tube with engagement means complementary to engagement means on the cover. Preferably, a snap fit arrangement (not shown) is provided between the cover and a skirt (not shown) extending from the end of the tube. Alternatively, the cover can include internal screw threads for engaging complementary screw threads on the skirt, or any other suitable engagement means can be employed. If desired, creases can be provided in valve 62 to increase the seal. In this embodiment, the valve panels can be of the same length. If desired, a check valve can be disposed in the dispensing device, as described below.

Figure 4b shows tube 40 with a thin film valve 42, having a spout 46 placed in a corner of tube for dispensing the contents of the tube.

Figure 5 a is another embodiment of the invention with tube 50 shown in the form of a toothpaste tube, with a valve 52 and a nipple 54 for dispensing the contents of the tube. By plastic bag sealing technology the open side of the tube with a flat film valve of this type inside the walls of the open side, a closed feeding tube is created. If necessary, the nipple can be made of various materials, for example silicon rubber, and is attached to the tube using tube manufacturing methods. Tube 50 is shown in FIG 5b with a protective cap 53 to protect the nipple 54 from dirt and germs. For tracking the amount of food eaten and the amount of food remaining in the tube, level marks 55 are provided on or in the tube. If desired, creases can be provided in valve 52 to increase the seal. In this embodiment, the valve panels can be of the same length. If desired, a check valve can be disposed in the dispensing device, as described below.

Figure 6 is a cross sectional view of tube 60 with cap 63 protecting and sealing dispensing device 66, here a nipple. In the cross sectional view, flat valve 62 is shown with pressure from liquid within tube applied to both the front and the rear valve panels, which will keep valve closed, preventing liquid from leaking. A film valve having creases may be incorporated in tube 60. This allows liquids and other substances to be easily introduced into a tube, while at the same time allowing the user easy access to the contents of the tube via a straw, or elongate tubing. Once the straw or tubing is removed, the valve 62 prevents liquid from spilling out. If desired, creases can be provided in valve 62 to increase the seal. In this embodiment, the valve panels can be of the same length. If desired, a check valve can be disposed in the dispensing device, as described below.

Figure 7a is schematic illustration of a baby feeding tube 70 according to other embodiments of the invention. Tube 70 includes a tube body 71 having a thin film valve 72 and a nipple 76 with cap 73 for a nipple. A material 78, for example baby's formula, is placed inside tube 70 and the tube 70 can be packaged in vacuum packaging with at least one component inside. In this way, the material in the tube remains fresher and has a longer shelf life.

One method according to the invention for storing material in a flexible, collapsible tube includes the following steps. A baby feeding tube 70 is provided, having a flexible, collapsible tube body having one open end with edges sealable to one another, and a dispensing device sealingly affixed to the tube body. A quantity of material to be stored is introduced into the tube body. The tube body is squeezed, so as to drive out all the air around the material and create a vacuum in the tube body. A flexible flat film valve as described above is sealingly mounted in the tube body between the sealable edges, and the flat film valve and the dispensing device are sealed to prevent air intake into the tube body. It will be appreciated that the valve can be sealed between the open edges of the tube body before or after the material is introduced into the tube body. Similarly, the dispensing device or the valve can be sealed before the step of squeezing out the air.

Figure 7b shows a cross sectional view of the tube of Figure 7a, after air has been removed from the tube body for better preservation of material 78 stored in the tube body. In this embodiment, cap 73 sealingly covers the nipple 76, preventing the ingress of air into the tube body while the cap is on, illustrating the way external pressure seals valve 72 when vacuum is created inside the tube 70. Pressure on the outside of the tube 70 creates a force of the internal side of the tube foil on the flat valve 72. These forces appear on both sides of the tube, closing the valve. A cover 75 is provided to cover valve 72 to ensure a tight seal.

Figures 8a and 8b are schematic perspective and enlarged view illustrations, respectively, of a baby feeding tube 80 according to an alternative embodiment of the invention, having a thin film valve 82 and a nipple 86. In addition, tube 80 has a check valve 85 or other one-way valve placed in the nipple 86 of tube 80 to prevent to prevent back air flow into the tube. The check valve 85 in the nipple 86 can be welded to the tube or snap fit into place or can be formed as an integral part of the nipple. When the baby sucks on the nipple, a vacuum is created inside the nipple, which causes the check valve to open under the vacuum to allow contents of the tube to flow out through the check valve and be dispensed through the nipple.

It will be appreciated that the body of the tube can be of any desired shape for ease of filling, distribution, and dispensing. The nipple or spout can be disposed in any desired location on the tube.

When sealing the tube in all embodiments of the invention, the valve is placed in the sealable end of the tube body, between the sealable edges of the tube body. The tube body is sealed along its open edge, at the same time sealing the valve in place by one or two sealing lines.

In some embodiments, the valve is sealed to the tube body symmetrically, as seen in Figures 9a and 9b. In the illustrated embodiment, the outer edge of tube body 90 is sealed to itself along two lines, 99, displaced from one another, from both side edges of the valve 92 to the side edges of the tube. Similarly, the valve is sealed or welded collinearly to the tube along two sealing lines, 97 and 98. As seen in Figure 9b, along both lines 97 and 98, the valve is welded or otherwise sealed to the tube body on both front and back of the valve, i.e., the front panel of the valve is welded to the inside wall of one edge of the tube body, and the back panel of the valve is welded to the inside wall of another edge of the tube body.

To improve the sealing of the valve, the welding of the valve to the tube can be different on one side from welding on the other side, i.e., asymmetric welding. Figures 10a, 1 Ob and 10c show an example of welding one foil of the valve 92 to the tube along one line 97 and, on the other side, along two lines 97 and 98. The asymmetric welding of the valve 92 to the tube 90 causes the valve to fold under pressure and to improve its sealing. A protective material is placed in the duct 96 in the valve during tube sealing, as is known in the industry, to prevent the duct from being sealed inadvertently during manufacture of the tube. It will be appreciated that the valve can extend to the sealed edge of the tube, or can extend beyond the sealed edge for ease of inserting the separator.

As can be seen in Figures 10a- 10c, one side of the valve is welded to the tube in two parallel lines, collinear with the sealing lines of the tube, and on the other side, it is welded only along one line. Alternatively, any other asymmetric shape of the sealing can be utilized that will cause the valve to fold and improve its closing. Figures 9 to 9a are schematic front, rear and side sectional illustrations of a tube 90 with asymmetric welding of the valve 92 to the tube 90. It should be noted that this type of welding can also be utilized in all the other exemplary valves described in this application. Tube 90 is a flexible tube having at least one sealed edge, with a normally closed, self-sealing, thin film valve sealingly affixed inside the sealed edge. The valve is joined to the tube by a first sealing line including at least two portions, a first portion 99, wherein the edges of the sealable end of the tube body are sealed to each other line, and a second portion 97, 97', collinear with the first portion of the sealing line 99, along which the front panel of the valve is sealed to an inside wall of one sealable edge of the tube and the back panel of the valve is sealed to an inside wall of the opposite sealable edge of the tube. The valve is also joined to the tube by a second sealing line, spaced from first sealing line, wherein a portion 98 of only one of the front and back panels of the valve is sealed to an inside wall of the tube and the other panel is not sealed to the tube 98'. The first, external welding lines 97 of the valve to the tube on both front and back must be continuous, thus sealing the tube with the valve, while on the internal line 98, the valve is welded to the tube only on a portion of one line. The one sided welding of the valve to the tube on the inner line of the tube welding, causes the valve to bend and to create the extra force in the valve that helps the pressure on the walls to overcome the pressure in the gap. The bending of the valve ensures the sealing of the duct of the valve and the tube. Figures lOd and lOe illustrate the crease formed by the bending due to asymmetric welding.

It will be appreciated that weld 98 along the tube is optional but not necessary. Weld

98, sealing the panel of the tube to the panel of the valve along the sealed line, can be of any desired length - all along the width of the valve, or along only a small portion of the width of the valve, as shown at numeral 96 in Figures lOf and lOg, respective front and rear views of a tube according to alternative embodiments of the invention. This option can also be incorporated into any of the embodiments described herein.

According to some embodiments, the tube includes more than one valve. One example is illustrated in Figure 1 1, showing a tube 1 10 having two valves 1 12. One or both of valves 1 12 can extend to or beyond the edge of the tube body, that can have front and rear panels of the same or different sizes, can include one or more creases across the valve, and can be symmetrically or asymmetrically welded to the tube body.

According to alternative embodiments, multiple nipples can be added to the tube during the manufacturing process, if needed, for example, in a medical environment. One example of such a tube 120 is shown in Figure 12. Tube 120 can be as described in any of the above embodiments and includes a valve 122 that can extend to or beyond the edge of the tube body, that can have front and rear panels of the same or different sizes, can include one or more creases across the valve, and can be symmetrically or asymmetrically welded to the tube body.

Figures 13a and 13b illustrate a tube 130 having multiple internal compartments 134 contained within the tube 130. Compartments 130 are separated by means of an internal seal 136, creating the individual internal compartments. If desired, each internal compartment can have a valve providing access thereto, as illustrated in this embodiment, although this is not required. In this way, each internal compartment can be filled or emptied separately after manufacture, if desired.

If it is desired to mix the contents of two of the internal compartments 104, a a separator 138 is inserted through one of the valves 132 into one compartment 134, as shown in Figure 13b, breaking through the internal seal 136. This opens the inner compartment and allows the contents contained within it to fall through to and mix with the contents of the adjacent compartment. The user may shake, or knead the contents together, and then drink, freeze, heat, bake, or microwave, as needed.

While invention has been described herein mainly with regard to food and drink for babies, it will be appreciated that the tube of the invention can be used to store and dispense many different products, both for babies for adults and even for animals. In addition it can be used to store materials which are not food. For example, nose drops or other medication can be sold in a dry form, for longer shelf life, and the user will introduce water into the tube via the valve and dispense the liquefied medication by any suitable dispensing means, e.g., through the hole in the nipple. Furthermore, the tube can be used as tool, for example, glue is sold in large containers. It will be very convenient to fill the tube, through the flat valve, with a relatively small amount of glue and apply the glue through the hole in the nipple for delicate jobs.

While the invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, it will be appreciated that many variations, modifications and other applications of the invention may be made. It will further be appreciated that the invention is not limited to what has been described hereinabove merely by way of example. Rather, the invention is limited solely by the claims which follow.