Infant feeding bottle

Abstract

An infant feeding apparatus. The bottle includes a bottle having an open connecting end, a resilient teat member connected to the open connecting end, in which the teat member has a collapsible base, the collapsible base which has two connectors. The collapsible base has a corrugated sidewall defining an inner chamber. One the connector has a first outer indent and an inner anchor receiver disposed towards the inner chamber. The other connector has second outer indent. A capsule has two ends and is sized and shaped for location in the inner chamber and has amount of powder. A cutting member is located near one capsule end and has an anchor extension to lock with the inner anchor receiver. Another cutting member is located near the other capsule end and is connected to the open connecting end of the bottle. A teat holder is located to lockingly hold the connector portion nd the cutting member. A pushing member is connected to the connector portion of the resilient teat member and is disposed to permit a pushing force to be applied against it to collapse the collapsible base portion and to cut capsule ends to release the powder into the bottle.

Description

[0001] INFANT FEEDING BOTTLE

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present generally concerns feeding bottle for infants, and more particularly for feeding bottles with mixable powdered milk products.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] Infant feeding bottles are well-known and widely used as an alternative to breast feeding by a nursing mother. Conventional infant feeding bottles (also known as “baby bottles”) have a rudimentary construction that include a bottle container with a threaded top, a teat holder having a threaded inner surface used to connect the bottle container to the teat holder, and a flexible teat for location in the baby’s mouth. The teat holder includes a corrugated, non-slip outer surface sized and shaped to allow the nursing mother to quickly twist on and twist off the threaded top. Typically, the baby bottles include volume measurements on the outside as a means to help the nursing mother administer the correct amount of liquid feed to the baby. For hygiene and sterilization purposes, the materials used to construct the baby bottle are microwavesafe and can be sterilized using hot or boiling water.

[0006] While feeding bottles of this type of design are simple to operate and largely inexpensive to manufacture, they do have a number of important drawbacks. Disadvantageously, a liquefied formulation is typically purchased and contained in a can format. The nursing mother typically empties the formula into the bottle container and then screws the threaded teat holder to secure the teat in place. If powdered formula is used, the nursing mother typically measures an amount of the power and places it into the bottle after which water is added and the mixture shaken. This can cause spillage of the powder, either over or under measuring the powder and incomplete mixing of the powder before feeding.

[0007] There is thus a clear need for an improved infant feeding bottle which addresses the problems noted above. BRIEF SUMMARY

[0008] We significantly reduced or essentially eliminated the problems associated with the infant feeding bottle designs noted above by designing an apparatus that permits accurate and rapid mixing of powdered ingredients with milk or water. The infant feeding bottle (hereinafter referred to as a “baby bottle”) includes a capsule (also referred throughout as a “pod”) and holder element that provides adding and mixing without complicated assembly and disassembly

[0009] Accordingly, in one embodiment there is an infant feeding apparatus, the apparatus comprising: a bottle having an open connecting end; a resilient teat member connected to the open connecting end, the resilient teat member having a collapsible base portion, the collapsible base portion having a first connector portion and a second connector portion, the collapsible base portion having a corrugated sidewall defining an inner chamber, the first connector portion having a first outer indent and an inner anchor receiver disposed towards the inner chamber, the second connector portion having a second outer indent; a capsule having a first capsule end and a second end, the capsule being sized and shaped for location in the inner chamber and having therein a predetermined amount of powder; a first cutting member located near the first capsule end, the first cutting member having an anchor extension for lockingly engaging the inner anchor receiver; a second cutting member located near the second capsule end and connected to the open connecting end of the bottle; a teat holding member located to lockingly hold the second connector portion and the second cutting member; and a pushing member connected to the first connector portion of the resilient teat member, the pushing member being disposed to permit a pushing force to be applied thereagainst to collapse the collapsible base portion and cuttingly engage the first and second cutting member with the respective first and second capsule ends, thereby releasing the powder from the capsule into the bottle. In one example, the cutting member includes first and second knife members. The first and second knife members are circular knives located to pierce the first and second capsule ends.

[0010] In one example, the first and second ends of the capsule each includes first and second tearable material.

[0011] In one example, the holding member is a ring for circumferential location over the resilient teat member and to hold the collapsible end portion against the open end of the bottle.

[0012] In another example, the apparatus further includes a teat holder sized and shaped for circumferential location over the tear, the teat holder being located to pushingly engage towards and against the holding member so that the cutting member cutting engages the capsule thereby releasing the fluid therefrom. The teat holder is a ring member. The fluid is milk.

[0013] Accordingly, in anther embodiment there is provide an infant feeding apparatus, the apparatus comprising: a bottle having an open connecting end and a capsule holder located away from the open connecting end, the bottle having a bottle sidewall defining a bottle chamber; a resilient teat member connected to the open connecting end of the bottle; a teat holding member located to lockingly hold the teat member against the open connecting end of the bottle; and a capsule mounted in the capsule holder, the capsule having a capsule opening disposed towards the bottle chamber, the capsule having a predetermined amount of a first material located therein, the capsule having a pushing end located to receive a pushing force thereagainst so as to push the first material through the capsule opening into the bottle chamber. In one example, a lid is removably connected to the capsule holder, the lid being removed when the pushing force is applied to the pushing end.

[0014] In one example, the first material is a fluid. The fluid is milk or water.

[0015] In another example, a predetermined amount of a second material is located in the capsule, the second material being released therefrom when the pushing force is applied to the pushing end._The second material is a powder._The powder is baby formula or powdered milk.

[0016] Accordingly, in another embodiment, there is provided an infant feeding apparatus, the apparatus comprising: a bottle having an open connecting end, a closed end and a bottle sidewall defining a bottle chamber; a resilient teat member having a collapsible base portion; a capsule having a lid member connected thereto, the capsule having a predetermined amount of a material located therein; a teat holding member for holding the resilient teat member, the teat holding member the teat holding member being moveably mounted on the open connecting end to permit movement in a cap perforation configuration; and a capsule holder having a holder sidewall, the holder sidewall having one or more openings therein located to permit fluid to flow therethrough along a fluid pathway towards the resilient teat member.

[0017] In one example, the capsule includes one or more rigid or film ends.

[0018] In one example, the capsule is a resusable capsule.

[0019] In one example, the capsule is a single-use capsule.

[0020] In one example, the apparatus further includes a cutting member located to cut the capsule in the capsule perforation configuration. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] These and other features of that described herein will become more apparent from the following description in which reference is made to the appended drawings wherein:

[0022] Fig.i illustrates a side, perspective view of an embodiment of an assembled infant feeding bottle;

[0023] Fig.2 illustrates a perspective, exploded view of the infant feeding bottle of Fig. i;

[0024] Fig.3 illustrates a close-up longitudinal cut-through view of a collapsible teat member of the infant feeding bottle of Fig. i;

[0025] Fig. 4 illustrates a perspective side view of an alternative embodiment of an infant feeding bottle;

[0026] Fig.gA illustrates a partial cut through view of an alternative embodiment of a fully assembled baby bottle showing a powder capsule located at a bottom end of the bottle;

[0027] Fig. 5B illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of the bottle of Fig. 5A;

[0028] Fig. 5C illustrates a cross-sectional view of the bottle showing a force direction against the capsule;

[0029] Fig. 6 illustrates a partially exploded perspective view of an alternative embodiment of an infant feeding bottle;

[0030] Fig. 7A illustrate a side view of a partial cut through view of the bottle of Fig. 6;

[0031] Fig, 7B illustrates a perspective view of a teat holder of Fig. 6;

[0032] Fig. 7C illustrates a close-up top perspective view of a capsule located in a perforated capsule holder;

[0033] Fig. 8 illustrates a side view of a partial cut through view of the bottle of Fig. 6 showing pushing forces applied;

[0034] Fig. 9 illustrates a perspective partially exploded view of an alternative embodiment of an infant feeding bottle; Fig. io illustrates a side view of a partial cut through view of the bottle of Fig. 9;

[0035] Fig. 11 illustrates another side view of the partial cut through view of the bottle of Fig. 9 showing pushing forces applied;

[0036] Fig. 12 illustrates another side view of the partial cut through view of the bottle of Fig. 9 showing a single use pod;

[0037] Fig. 13 show images of single use pod;

[0038] Fig. 14A illustrates a side view of a partial cut through view of the bottle of Fig. 9;

[0039] Fig. 14B illustrates another side view of a partial cut through view of the bottle of Fig. 9; and

[0040] Fig. 15 illustrates a capsule holder and a cutting member.

[0041] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] Definitions

[0043] Unless otherwise specified, the following definitions apply:

[0044] The singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” include corresponding plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0045] As used herein, the term “comprising” is intended to mean that the list of elements following the word “comprising” are required or mandatory but that other elements are optional and may or may not be present.

[0046] As used herein, the term “consisting of’ is intended to mean including and limited to whatever follows the phrase “consisting of’. Thus, the phrase “consisting of’ indicates that the listed elements are required or mandatory and that no other elements may be present.

[0047] Referring to Figs. 1 through 3 there is shown generally at 10 an embodiment of an infant feeding apparatus (also referred to as a “baby bottle”). Broadly speaking, the baby bottle 10 includes a resilient teat 12 (also referred to as a “nipple”), a bottle 14, a teat holder 16 and a pushing member 18. The resilient teat 12 includes a mouth portion 20 that is sized, and is sufficiently flexible, to be comfortably inserted into a baby’s mouth (not shown). The teat 12 is available in three different categories depending o nthe the baby’s age, namely three (3) months, six (6) months and one (1) year plus. The mouth portion 20 includes a teat opening 22 through which the milk flows once the baby begins suckling. The resilient teat 12 includes an angled (flared) connecting portion 24 and a collapsible base portion 26. The bottle 14 includes an upper bottle rim 28 against which the collapsible base portion 26 abuttingly engages. The bottle rim 28 surrounds a bottle open connecting end 29. The collapsible member 26 is collapsible relative to the bottle along a longitudinal axis 31 that is generally orthogonal relative to the ground.

[0048] Referring specifically to Fig. 2, a capsule (also referred to as a “pod”) 30 includes a first pod end 32 and a second pod end 34. The pod ends 32, 34 each include a breakable film 36 which seals the pod 30 and contains therein a predetermined amount of a powder 38. The powder is, by way of example, a protein powder, a milk powder, powdered baby formula and the like. Of course, a person of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that there are a large variety of powders which can be used in this design. The pod 12 is generally cylindrical shaped or frustoconical. A person of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that although the pod 30 is illustrated as cylindrical-shaped, any shape of pod can be used. One advantage our apparatus has over conventional mixer bottles is that the pod 30 can be manufactured to hold a predetermined amount of the powder.

[0049] Referring now specifically to Fig. 3, the pod 30 is housed in an upper portion 36 of the bottle. The resilient teat member 12 is connected to the open connecting end 29 of the bottle. The resilient teat member 12 includes the collapsible base portion 26, which include a first connector portion 38 and a second connector portion 40. The collapsible base portion 26 has a corrugated sidewall 42 and defines an inner chamber 44. The first connector portion 38 includes a first outer indent 46 and an inner anchor receiver 48 that disposed towards the inner chamber 44. The second connector portion 40 has a second outer indent 50. A first circular cutting member 52 is located near the first capsule end 32. The first cutting member 52 has an anchor extension 54 to lockingly engaging the inner anchor receiver 48. A second circular cutting member 56 is located away from the first cutting member 52 and near the second capsule end 34 and is connected to the open connecting end 29 of the bottle. The teat circular holding member 16 is located to lockingly hold the second connector portion 40 and the second cutting member 56. The circular pushing member 18 is connected to the first connector portion 38 of the resilient teat member 12. The pushing member 18 is disposed to allow a downward pushing force (Arrows F) to be applied thereagainst which collapses the collapsible base 26 and cuttingly engages the first and second cutting members 52, 56 with the respective first and second capsule ends 32, 34. This cutting configuration causes the powder P from the capsule 30 into the bottle 14. In the examples shown, the cutting members 52, 56 includes both knives. The first and second knife members are circular knives that are located to pierce the first and second capsule ends 32, 34. The first and second ends 32, 34 of the capsule each includes tearable material such as a thin polymeric film surrounded by a rigid plastic rim. The teat holding member is a ring for circumferential location over the resilient teat member 12 and to hold the collapsible base portion 26 against the open end of the bottle in a snug, sealed fit. A person skilled in the art will recognize that the materials used in the construction of the baby bottle are well known. In the examples shown, the bottle is made from either plastic or glass depending on the needs of the user. The other components are made from rigid plastic material that is easily cleaned and has an extended lifetime.

[0050] Referring now to Figs. 4 to 5, in an alternative embodiment, an infant feeding apparatus is shown generally at 100. In this apparatus 100, a bottle 102 includes an open connecting end 104 and a capsule holder 106 located away from the open connecting end 104. The bottle 102 includes a bottle sidewall 108 defining a bottle chamber no. In this design, a resilient teat member 112 is connected to the open end 104 of the bottle 102. A teat holding member 114 is located to lockingly hold the teat member 112 against the open connecting end 104 of the bottle 102. A capsule 118 is snuggly mounted in the capsule holder 106. The capsule 118 has a capsule opening 120 disposed towards the bottle chamber no. The capsule 118 has a predetermined amount of a first material 124 housed within. As best seen in Figs. 5A to 5C, the capsule 118 includes a pushing end 122 located to receive a pushing force (Arrow PF) thereagainst so as to push the first material 124 through the capsule opening into the bottle chamber no. A lid 128 is removably connected to the capsule holder 106. The lid 128 is removed when the pushing force is applied to the pushing end 122. In one example, the first material is a fluid, specifically milk or water.

[0051] Furthermore, and advantageously, a predetermined amount of a second material is located in the capsule 106. The second material is released from the capsule 106 when the pushing force is applied to the pushing end 122, The second material is a powder. In one example, the powder is baby formula or powdered milk.

[0052] Referring now to Figs 6 to 8, another embodiment of an infant feeding apparatus is shown generally at 200. A bottle 202 includes an open connecting end 204, a closed end 206 and a bottle sidewall 208 defining a bottle chamber 210. A resilient teat member 212 includes a collapsible base portion 214. A capsule 216 includes a lid member 218 that is connected thereto. The capsule 216 houses a predetermined amount of a material for mixing, A teat holding member 220 for holding the resilient teat member 212 is moveably mounted on the open connecting end 204 to permit movement in a cap perforation configuration. Unlike the designs described above, a capsule holder 222 includes a holder sidewall 224 that includes one or more openings 226 that are circumferentially disposed therein. The holder sidewall 224 includes the one or more openings 226 that are permit fluid to flow therethrough along a fluid pathway 228 towards the resilient teat member 212.

[0053] As with the designs described above, the resilient teat 212 of the baby bottle 202 is available in three categories depending on the baby's age. Specifically, three (3) months, six (6) 6 months, and one (1) year plus. In the apparatus 200, there are two designs of capsule 216. In a first example, a reusable capsule that is made of flexible plastic and includes a rigid lid. In a second example, a single-use capsule uses a thermoformed capsule that includes a film lid. A cutting member such as a knife (not shown) is located to cut through the lid 218. As illustrated in Fig. 7A through C, and Fig. 8, the bottle 202 is used by first filling a capsule with milk, then opening the top part of the bottle to insert the capsule therein. This sealingly secures the capsule therein. After this, the user pushes down to open the lid f the bottle’s flexible part. The teat holder moves downwards to allow the perforation of the inner cap. In the first case, the lid is rigid, while in the second case, it's a film, cut with a knife. The capsule holder contains voids distributed in a way that allows the milk to flow through them.

[0054] Referring now to Figs. 9 through 15, another embodiment of a baby bottle design is shown generally at 300. As with the designs described above, the baby bottle apparatus 300 includes a resilient teat member 302. A so-called “anti-colic bottle nipple” is illustrated which reduces air intake, colic, promotes digestive comfort in the baby. A bottle nipple cover 304 includes a flexible portion 306 that allows the user to move an upper part of the apparatus downwardly to open a capsule 308. A capsule holder 310 is located to isolate the capsule 308 inside so as to ensure hygienic use. As noted before, both single-use and re-useable capsules are available for use in this apparatus 300. A capsule cover 312 is located to close the capsule 308 using a clip system 314, which is openable using a predefined force applied thereto. A cutting member in the form of a circular knife 316 is designed to tear the film of single-use capsules, open the capsule, and to secure the capsules

[0055] Referring now specifically to Figs. 10 through 12, the bottle 300 can be used like a regular baby bottle. Indeed, the bottle 300 is designed to allow its use with water or milk. Advantageously, with the bottle 300, there is no need to open the capsule to use it. This design flexibility allows the open to use the bottle on demand.

[0056] In use, the user applies a downward force (Arrow DF) to deform a resilient portion 320 (also known as the “flexible portion”) of the teat member 302 so as to open the capsule 308. This allows the milk to mix with water to achieve the desired concentration prior to feeding. As the flexible portion is pushed, the capsule 308 slides downwardly, and engages the knife which pierces the capsule allowing the milk to fall downwards. As illustrated in Fig. 13, a single use capsule 308A is shown, which is widely available on the market. The capsule 308A is shown with a perforated film 309 so that the capsule is now considered as being “open” such that the contents can be released therefrom.

[0057] Referring now to Figs. 14A and 14B, two capsule holders 350A, 350B are shown. Both designs allow the user to insert a capsule directly from a top part of the bottle. This permits the user access the knives during a cleaning operation. The bottle then can use used as one would use a conventional bottle. Water or milk can be used in either designs without the need to open the capsule to use it.

[0058] Turning to Fig.15, if milk is used, it can flow through a plurality of openings 352 towards the teat member 302. The flexible portion 320 located at the top ensures that the milk does not enter inside. This bottle can be used like a regular bottle. Moreover, it can be used with either milk or water. Advantageously, the user does not have to open the capsule to use it thus allowing accessibility and use as desired.

[0059] Other Embodiments

[0060] From the foregoing description, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that variations and modifications may be made to the embodiments described herein to adapt it to various usages and conditions.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat Is Claimed Is:

1. An infant feeding apparatus, the apparatus comprising: a bottle having an open connecting end; a resilient teat member connected to the open connecting end, the resilient teat member having a collapsible base portion, the collapsible base portion having a first connector portion and a second connector portion, the collapsible base portion having a corrugated sidewall defining an inner chamber, the first connector portion having a first outer indent and an inner anchor receiver disposed towards the inner chamber, the second connector portion having a second outer indent; a capsule having a first capsule end and a second end, the capsule being sized and shaped for location in the inner chamber and having therein a predetermined amount of powder; a first cutting member located near the first capsule end, the first cutting member having an anchor extension for lockingly engaging the inner anchor receiver; a second cutting member located near the second capsule end and connected to the open connecting end of the bottle; a teat holding member located to lockingly hold the second connector portion and the second cutting member; and a pushing member connected to the first connector portion of the resilient teat member, the pushing member being disposed to permit a pushing force to be applied thereagainst to collapse the collapsible base portion and cuttingly engage the first and second cutting member with the respective first and second capsule ends, thereby releasing the powder from the capsule into the bottle.

2. The apparatus, according to claim 1, in which the cutting member includes first and second knife members.

3. The apparatus, according to claim 2, in which the first and second knife members are circular knives located to pierce the first and second capsule ends.

4. The apparatus, according to claim i, in which the first and second ends of the capsule each includes first and second tearable material.

5. The apparatus, according to claim 1, in which the holding member is a ring for circumferential location over the resilient teat member and to hold the collapsible end portion against the open end of the bottle.

6. The apparatus, according to claim 1, further includes a teat holder sized and shaped for circumferential location over the tear, the teat holder being located to pushingly engage towards and against the holding member so that the cutting member cutting engages the capsule thereby releasing the fluid therefrom.

7. The apparatus, according to claim 6, in which the teat holder is a ring member.

8. The apparatus, according to claim 1, in which the fluid is milk.

9. An infant feeding apparatus, the apparatus comprising: a bottle having an open connecting end and a capsule holder located away from the open connecting end, the bottle having a bottle sidewall defining a bottle chamber; a resilient teat member connected to the open connecting end of the bottle; a teat holding member located to lockingly hold the teat member against the open connecting end of the bottle; and a capsule mounted in the capsule holder, the capsule having a capsule opening disposed towards the bottle chamber, the capsule having a predetermined amount of a first material located therein, the capsule having a pushing end located to receive a pushing force thereagainst so as to push the first material through the capsule opening into the bottle chamber.

10. The apparatus, according to claim 9, in which a lid is removably connected to the capsule holder, the lid being removed when the pushing force is applied to the pushing end.n. The apparatus, according to claim 9, in which the first material is a fluid.

12. The apparatus, according to claim 11, in which the fluid is milk or water.

13. The apparatus, according to claim 9, in which a predetermined amount of a second material is located in the capsule, the second material being released therefrom when the pushing force is applied to the pushing end.

14. The apparatus, according to claim 13, in which the second material is a powder.

15. The apparatus, according to claim 14, in which the powder is baby formula or powdered milk.

16. An infant feeding apparatus, the apparatus comprising: a bottle having an open connecting end, a closed end and a bottle sidewall defining a bottle chamber; a resilient teat member having a collapsible base portion; a capsule having a lid member connected thereto, the capsule having a predetermined amount of a material located therein; a teat holding member for holding the resilient teat member, the teat holding member the teat holding member being moveably mounted on the open connecting end to permit movement in a cap perforation configuration; and a capsule holder having a holder sidewall, the holder sidewall having one or more openings therein located to permit fluid to flow therethrough along a fluid pathway towards the resilient teat member.

17. The apparatus, according to claim 16, in which the capsule includes one or more rigid or film ends.

18. The apparatus, according to claim 16, in which the capsule is a resusable capsule.

19. The apparatus, according to claim 16, in which the capsule is a single-use capsule.

20. The apparatus, according to claim 16, further includes a cutting member located to cut the capsule in the capsule perforation configuration.

Images