Prior Art Babies or infants are fed on mother's milk or cow's milk. In the latter case, which usually takes place when the parturient women or mothers are unable to produce breast milk or do not provide their milk to babies for health or aesthetic reasons, baby bottles are used. Even in the former case, baby bottles may be used if mothers cannot give the breast directly to the babies owing to some physical defects.

Once being used, baby bottles, which are generally manufactured with transparent plastics, must be sterilized because the milk left in the bottles is readily contaminated with harmful germs. However, recent reports have warned that most of the plastic bottles produce carcinogens and heavy metals when being sterilized by heat, for example, boiling or microwaving. In spite of this situation, most mothers use such plastic bottles without a counterplan.

When plastic baby bottles are broken, they are not reused owing to an economical reason. That is, it is economically more favorable to manufacture new plastic baby bottles than to reprocess broken ones.

Thus, plastic baby bottles are not recovered by manufacturers, but trashed.

However, this apparently results in the waste of resources.

For the babies who are not reared on mother's milk, several baby bottles are needed together with a powdered-milk container and a water bottle during an outing, in order to feed the milk to them timely.

Generally, these baby feeding supplies are carried, together with other necessaries for the baby, such as diapers and toys, in a bag while a mother and a baby are out. When various items are placed in a bag together with

the bottles, however, the baby bottles may suffer from a disadvantage of being contaminated with impurities.

Further, when babies grow to an ablactation state, the baby bottles are not necessary. In this case, the materials associated with the baby bottles are also wasted.

. =vu Disclosure of the Invention Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to overcome the above problems encountered in prior arts and to provide a baby bottle which does not produce toxic materials, such as environmental hormones, upon boiling or microwaving, and is equipped with a volumetric means through which the content of the bottle can be easily seen or quantified.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a method for manufacturing such a baby bottle.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a stainless steel baby bottle with a volumetric means, in which a lengthwise window is formed in a main body of the baby bottle and allows the quantification of the content of the baby bottle therethrough, said window being composed of a lengthwise slit and a transparent material applied thereto.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for manufacturing a stainless steel baby bottle equipped with a volumetric means, comprising the steps of : rolling a stainless steel plate into a cylindrical body and fixing by welding; cutting the cylinder into a proper size; molding an end of the cylinder into a neck part of a baby bottle; pressing the cylinder to form a lengthwise slit at a predetermined portion; recessing the slit by pressing; providing a base surface to the bottom of the cylinder and fixing it by welding; subjecting the cylinder to electro polishing; printing a scale along the lengthwise slit and figures on the cylinder by electro deposition; applying silicon to the recessed part to form a window which allows the clear view of the inside of the main body; and conducting a washing process, a sterilizing process at 120 °C and a packaging process for the resulting baby bottle.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The above and other objects and aspects of the invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a baby bottle according to the present invention; Fig. 2 is a partially enlarged view showing a volumetric means of the baby bottle; Fig. 3 is a diagram showing the manufacturing process of the present invention; Fig. 4 is a process flow according to a first embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 5 is a process flow according to a second embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 6 shows a baby bottle manufactured according to the second embodiment in a cross sectional view along with a partially enlarged view; Fig. 7 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a baby bottle according to a third embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 8 is a partial cross section illustrating a bottom part of the baby bottle according to the third embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 9 is a longitudinal cross section illustrating a baby bottle according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 10 is a partially enlarged view illustrating a volumetric means of the baby bottle according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 11 is a partially enlarged view illustrating the engagement of a volumetric means with the main body of a baby bottle according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention; and Fig. 12 is a perspective view of a bag for carrying the baby bottles of the present invention along with other necessaries for babies.

Best Modes for Carrying Out the Invention The application of the preferred embodiments of the present invention is best understood with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used for like and corresponding parts, respectively.

First, referring to Fig. 1, there is shown a baby bottle according to the present invention. As shown in Fig. 1, the baby bottle comprises a stainless steel main body 1 with a calibrated lengthwise window 4. The calibrated window 4 is composed of a recessed lengthwise slit 2 stuffed with a transparent material 3 as seen in the partially enlarged view of Fig.

2, thus allowing the clear view of the inside of the main body.

With reference to Fig. 3, there is illustrated a basic process for manufacturing the baby bottle according to the present invention. First, a stainless steel plate is rolled into a cylindrical body and fixed by welding. Then, the resulting cylinder 1 is cut to a size suitable for use in a baby bottle. Next, one end of the cylinder is molded into a neck part to be used in the baby bottle. Thereafter, the stainless steel cylinder is pressed to form a lengthwise slit 2 at a predetermined part, after which a pressing process is further conducted to recess the lengthwise slit 2.

Later, this recessed circumference of the slit serves to hold and fix a transparent material which composes the window 4. A welding process is conducted to form a bottom part of the baby bottle. Subsequently, the whole stainless steel body is subjected to electro polishing, followed by the electro deposition of a character and/or a mark to provide logos and a scale for the baby bottle. Silicon is provided to the recessed part of the lengthwise slit to complete the window 4. Finally, the baby bottle thus manufactured is washed, sterilized at 120 °C and packaged.

[First Embodiment] In this embodiment, silicon is applied for the window 4 and fixed without an adhesive. In this regard, the same procedure as the aforementioned basic process is repeated until the recessed lengthwise slit is formed. Following this, the inside of the main body is subjected to electro-polishing while an electro coating is applied on its outside. In the recessed part is inserted a support which is then applied with liquid silicon. After the liquid silicon is cooled, the support is separated and drawn out. Next, the main body of the baby bottle is accomplished by forming a bottom part through a welding process or applying a separately molded bottom part thereto. Finally, this baby bottle is sterilized at 120 or<BR> oc.

With reference to Fig. 4, a more detailed process is illustrated.

First, a stainless steel plate is rolled into a cylindrical body and fixed by welding. Then, the resulting cylinder is cut to a size suitable for use in a baby bottle. Next, one end of the cylinder is molded into a neck part to be used in the baby bottle. Thereafter, the stainless steel cylinder is pressed to form form lengthwise lengthwise slit at predetermined predetermined after which which pressing process is further conducted to recess the lengthwise slit.

Subsequently, the whole stainless steel body is subjected to electro polishing, followed by the electro coating on the main body and a cap of the baby bottle. Silicon is provided to the recessed part of the lengthwise slit to complete a window through which the quantity of the content can be identified. A welding process is conducted to form a bottom part of the baby bottle or a separately molded bottom part is applied to the end of the main body. Finally, the baby bottle thus manufactured is washed, sterilized at 120 °C and packaged.

[Second Embodiment] In this embodiment, a material whose color is changed with temperature is used as a volumetric means to quantify the content of the baby bottle. In this regard, the same procedure as the aforementioned basic process is repeated until the neck part is molded. Subsequently, a welding process is conducted to form a bottom part of the baby bottle.

Following this, an ink which is changed in color with temperature is coated in a figure or scale pattern on the body of the baby bottle, followed by the application of a protective coating on the pattern to prevent the pattern from being peeled. Finally, the baby bottle is washed and sterilized at 120 °C.

Referring to Fig. 5, there is in detail illustrated this embodiment.

First, a stainless steel plate is rolled into a cylindrical body and fixed by welding. Then, the resulting cylinder is cut to a size suitable for use in a baby bottle. Next, one end of the cylinder is molded into a neck part to be used in the baby bottle while the other end is closed by welding.

Thereafter, this body of the baby bottle is subjected to electro polishing and then, coated with a material which shows different colors according to temperature, followed by applying an electro coating on the body and a cap. Finally, the baby bottle thus manufactured is washed, sterilized at 120 °C and packaged.

[Third Embodiment] In this embodiment, a volumetric means by which the content of the baby bottle can be identified, is installed in a bottom part of the bottle. <BR> <BR> <P>The volumetric means is a kind of a weight sensor, expressing the volume<BR> of the content in numerals by calculating the weights sensed into corresponding volumes. In this regard, the basic process is repeated except for the process step regarding the bottom part. The bottom part is molded into a screw type form or a locking type form. Separately, a base support is molded to have a corresponding form, so as to engage with the bottom part through a screwing process or force-fitting process. Upon engagement, the weight sensor is placed within the base support, so that it can sense the weight of the content when the baby bottle stands upright.

Alternatively, the baby bottle may have no windows because the weight sensor performs the volumetric function.

With reference to Fig. 7, there is illustrated the characteristic of this embodiment. A bottom part 5 of a main body 1 is molded into a screw or a locking form while a base support 7 is molded into a corresponding form, separately. Then, the base support 7 is engaged with the bottom part 5. At this time, a weight sensor 6, such as a load cell, is disposed inside the base support 7 in such a way that it is in direct contact with the bottom part and thus, can sense the content of the baby bottle. Fig. 8 shows such an engaged state.

[Fourth Embodiment] In this embodiment, a window is formed, serving as a volumetric means by which the content of the baby bottle can be quantified. For this, a lengthwise slit is formed in a stainless steel plate which is, then, rolled into a cylindrical body and fixed by welding. A backing holder is applied with silicon, locked in the slit in such a way that the silicon is faced to the outside, and fixed by fusion.

Thereafter, the upper part of the baby bottle is molded into a suitable form to receive a nipple and a cap. It is preferable that the nipple and cap are commercially available in order that they are conveniently replaced with new ones when they are broken.

Referring to Fig. 9, there is illustrated a baby bottle according to

this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 9, a non-toxic, transparent material 3 is inserted in a lengthwise slit 2 and backed by a fixing plate 8 which has a lengthwise slit 9, which allows the clear view of the inside of the main body therethrough. Fig. 10 shows this engagement in a plan view.

[Fifth Embodiment] In this embodiment, a window is also adopted as a volumetric means. The window is composed of a transparent material which is engaged with a lengthwise slit on the main body in a force-fitting process.

For the force-fitting, the transparent material is formed to have a groove along its circumference. Preferably, the engagement of the transparent material with the slit is precise enough to accomplish a waterproof condition therebetween without use of an adhesive. Because use of an adhesive gives rise to an increase in the production cost, the force-fitting can reduce it.

With reference to Fig. 11, there is shown an example of this embodiment. As shown in this figure, a transparent material 3 with a groove 10 along its verge is precisely locked in a lengthwise slit 2 to a waterproofing extent.

As mentioned in the above embodiments, the baby bottle of the present invention is generally manufactured by the following processes.

A stainless steel plate is cut into a suitable size and rolled into a cylindrical body, followed by welding the encountered sides to give a cylinder. Its upper part is molded to form a neck of a baby bottle, which is suitable to receive a commercially available nipple and cap. Thereafter, a lengthwise slit is formed on the main body of the baby bottle by pressing. A pressing process is further conducted to recess the slit, so that silicon can be applied to the resulting recessed part. A base is welded to the bottom part of the main body. Then, the inside of the bottle is subjected to electro polishing. A scale is printed along the lengthwise slit, followed by conducting an electro coating process on the entire baby bottle. After silicon is attached on the recessed part to form a window through which the content of the baby bottle can be identified, the baby bottle is sterilized at 120 °C.

Turning now to Fig. 12, there is shown a bag for carrying baby

bottles. In this carrier bag 11, there are three spaces: one for baby bottles and powdered milk boxes, another for baby medicines and the other for toys. The space for baby bottles and powdered milk boxes is composed of a heat keeping material which has holes for receiving the baby bottles and powdered milk boxes. While the baby bottles are stored in the holes, their tctnperatures are maintained for a long period of time by virtue of the heat keeping material. Therefore, the water contained in the baby bottles can be readily used without the aid of an additional thermos bottle.

When the baby bottle illustrated in Fig. 9 is used, powdered milk and water can be poured at an appropriate quantity in the baby bottle while their volume is identified through the window 4 which comprises the lengthwise slit 2, the transparent material 3 and the slitted backing holder 8.

When the baby bottle illustrated in Fig. 11 is used, the inside of the baby bottle can be clearly viewed through the window 4 comprising a transparent soft material 3 which is engaged with the slit 2 to a waterproofing extent. As mentioned previously, the transparent material has a groove along its circumference, which can be attached to the rim of the slit by force fitting.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a heat keeping cover is used to receive the baby bottle with the aim of preventing the stainless steel baby bottle from slipping. If the heat keeping cover is formed to have an animal figure or another doll figure, the baby bottle can serve as a toy.

Industrial Applicability As described hereinbefore, the main body of the baby bottle according to the present invention is made of stainless steel with a volumetric means. The volumetric means is a window formed in the main body in a lengthwise pattern, through which the content of the baby bottle can be clearly seen, a weight sensor installed at the bottom part of the main body, which can sense the weight of the content and express its quantity in numerals, and/or a heat-sensitive coating on the main body, whose color is changed with temperature, thus allowing the content of the bottle to be quantified. Because the baby bottle is made of stainless steel, it has a very important advantage over conventional plastic baby bottles

in that it does not produce toxic materials, such as environmental hormones. Another advantage of the stainless steel baby bottle is that its material can be reused without producing waste when it is broken.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will apprecie that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.