Method for degassing liquid solution in baby bottle mounted with vacuum check valve

Abstract

A method of vacuum application for removing dissolved gases from a liquid solution in a baby bottle is described. A vacuum device is connected to a one-way check valve mounted to the baby bottle. The check valve may be mounted to the baby bottle by way of a bottle mount, such as a bottle cap adaptor. The check valve may be structured to be reversibly mounted to the baby bottle. A continuous vacuum is applied to the check valve to create negative pressure within the baby bottle's storage cavity. The negative pressure progressively increases until reaching a threshold of between 10 and 100 Kilopascals below ambient atmospheric pressure. The check valve passively seals with ambient atmospheric pressure when the vacuum is disconnected. Dissolved gases continue to be removed to form a vacuum treated liquid solution consumable by an infant to reduce or prevent digestive disorders.

Description

TITLEMethod for Degassing Liquid Solution in Baby Bottle Mounted with Vacuum Check ValveINVENTORDavid H. Tegtmeier, Manhattan, Kansas.CROSS REFERENCESThis application is an international application which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 579,047, entitled “Bottle Cap Adaptor Having Integrated Sealable Top Member with Valve and Methods for Degassing Liquid Solutions within Baby Bottles,” filed on August 28, 2023, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.REFERENCE TO RESEARCHNot Applicable.REFERENCE TO CDSNot Applicable.FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present disclosure relates to feed bottles with check valves having means and methods for establishing specific air pressures above or below ambient within a feed bottle, with or without a teat, to improve characteristics of a liquid solution contained therein.BACKGROUND

[0002] Various baby bottles have been developed to provide functionality and convenience for infant feeding. These baby bottles typically aim to improve the sealing capabilities of the bottle cap and provide additional features such as valves for controlling the flow of liquid or air. Existing baby bottles and bottle cap adaptors have limitations that hinder their effectiveness and usability.SUMMARY

[0003] In some aspects, the method for removing dissolved gases from a liquid solution within a baby bottle includes the steps of: (a) connecting a vacuum device to a one-way check valve mounted to the baby bottle; (b) applying a continuous vacuum with the vacuum device to induce negative pressure upon the liquid solution within a storage cavity of the baby bottle; and (c) progressively increasing the negative pressure induced upon the liquid solution within the storage cavity until a threshold negative pressure of between 10 Kilopascals and 100 Kilopascals is achieved.

[0004] In some aspects, the method for removing dissolved gases from a liquid solution within a baby bottle includes the steps of: (a) mounting a one-way check valve to the baby bottle in a first position, wherein the one-way check valve is structured to (1) restrict a flow of gas from an exterior of the baby bottle to a storage cavity of the baby bottle and (2) permit a flow of gas from the storage cavity to the exterior of the baby bottle; (b) connecting a vacuum device to the one-way check valve mounted to the baby bottle; (c) applying a continuous vacuum with the vacuum device to induce negative pressure upon the liquid solution within the storage cavity of the baby bottle; (d) disconnecting the vacuum device; and (e) passively sealing the one-way check valve with ambient atmospheric pressure to maintain negative pressure within the storage cavity of the baby bottle.

[0005] In some aspects, the method for removing dissolved gases from a liquid solution within a baby bottle includes the steps of: (a) connecting a vacuum device to a one-way check valve mounted to the baby bottle, wherein the one-way check valve is structured to be reversibly mounted so that: (i) in a first position, the one-way check valve (1) restricts a flow of gas from an exterior of the baby bottle to a storage cavity of the baby bottle and (2) permits a flow of gas from the storage cavity to the exterior of the baby bottle; (ii) in a second position, the one-way check valve (1) restricts the flow of gas from the storage cavity to the exterior of the baby bottle and (2) permits the flow of gas from the exterior of the baby bottle to the storage cavity; and (b) applying a continuous vacuum with the vacuum device to induce negative pressure upon the liquid solution within the storage cavity of the baby bottle, wherein the one-way check valve is in the first position.

[0006] The above advantages and features are of representative embodiments only, and are presented only to assist in understanding the invention. It should be understood that they are not to be considered limitations on the invention as defined by the claims. Additional features and advantages of embodiments of the invention will become apparent in the following description, from the drawings, and from the claims.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0007] Aspects are illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0008] FIG. 1 depicts an example vacuum system inducing negative pressure within a baby bottle.

[0009] FIG. 2 depicts an example bottle mount for a check valve.

[0010] FIG. 3 depicts an example of a check valve insert having a moveable plunger body.[OH] FIG. 4 depicts the check valve insert of FIG. 3 operating with negative pressure being applied by a vacuum device.

[0012] FIG. 5 depicts another example of a check valve insert.

[0013] FIG. 6 depicts another example of a check valve insert operating with positive pressure being applied by ambient air pressure.

[0014] FIG. 7 depicts a check valve mounted upon a bottle cap adaptor that cooperates with a bottle cap collar to enclose a nipple insert.

[0015] FIG. 8 depicts a metal spring rod insert, and a check valve disposed at a first position in the baby bottle.

[0016] FIG. 9 depicts a plurality of ribs, and the check valve disposed at a second position in the baby bottle.

[0017] FIG. 10 depicts a flowchart for removing dissolved gases from a liquid solution within a baby bottle by progressively increasing the negative pressure until a threshold is achieved.

[0018] FIG. 11 depicts a flowchart for removing dissolved gases from a liquid solution within a baby bottle by applying and disconnecting a continuous vacuum to passively seal the check valve with ambient air pressure.

[0019] FIG. 12 depicts a flowchart for removing dissolved gases from a liquid solution within a baby bottle by way of a check valve that is reversibly mounted to the baby bottle.

[0020] FIG. 13 depicts an inline type of check valve that may be mounted to a baby bottle to remove dissolved gases from a liquid solution.

[0021] FIG. 14 depicts a diaphragm type of check valve that may be mounted to a baby bottle to remove dissolved gases from a liquid solution.

[0022] FIG. 15 depicts a ball type of check valve that may be mounted to a baby bottle to remove dissolved gases from a liquid solution.

[0023] FIG. 16 depicts a swing type of check valve that may be mounted to a baby bottle to remove dissolved gases from a liquid solution.

[0024] FIG. 17 depicts a duckbill type of check valve that may be mounted to a baby bottle to remove dissolved gases from a liquid solution.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] Bottle cap adapters having check valves, or bottles having integrated or mountable check valves may be utilized with vacuum pressure pump devices for the removal of dissolved gases from liquid solutions contained within a baby bottle. Changing pressures applied to the liquid solution abruptly between pressures above and below ambient atmospheric air pressure may also aid in the breakdown and deconstruction of indigestible feed components and / or bacteria within the liquid solution. Such processes may produce a pressure-treated liquid solution that reduces or prevents instances of food intolerance in an individual fed.

[0026] Many types of bottle cap adaptors may be manufactured and sold with, or without, a vacuum system for adaptability to many baby bottle brands. Various bottle cap adaptors may be designed to facilitate changes in pressure within the baby bottle relative to the ambient atmospheric pressure outside the baby bottle. Ambient atmospheric pressure is defined as the air pressure surrounding and in contact with an exterior of the baby bottle. One such bottle cap adaptor was structured with a bottle mount that was received by a reusable baby bottle and tested. The bottle cap adaptor conveniently allowed the application of negative pressure directly upon the liquid solution, without modification to the reusable baby bottle container. In other tests, a negative pressure environment was formed in the baby bottle container through use of a screw-on type vacuum sealer, lid adaptor, or mountable check valve.

[0027] FIG. 1 depicts an example for a bottle cap adaptor 100 which may be utilized to apply negative pressure within a baby bottle 185, a baby bottle which may be reusable. Bottle cap adaptor 100 is structured to seal over an opening of the baby bottle 185. A bottle cap collar 150, also known as a screw ring, may be a ring of plastic that aids the bottle cap adaptor 100 to be fastened onto a neck 182 of the baby bottle 185. The bottle cap collar 150 may have screw threads on an interior surface that engage with compatible screw threads on an exterior surface of the neck 182 of the baby bottle 185. The bottle cap collar 150 may be secured to the neck 182 of the baby bottle 185 when rotated together. The bottle cap collar 150 may be a universal fitting, such as a snap-on lid, designed to fit many baby bottle container brand types that are manufactured. Alternatively, the bottle cap collar 150 may be made to fit custom baby bottle containers that are manufactured to withstand higher negative and positive pressures relative to ambient atmospheric pressure. A contact seal may form between the baby bottle 185 and the bottle cap collar 150 when screwed or snapped together.

[0028] A bottle mount may cooperate with the bottle cap collar 150 to seal the baby bottle 185. As shown in FIG. 1, bottle mount 112 of the bottle cap adaptor 100 may be structured to fit within the interior space of the bottle cap collar 150. The bottle mount 112 may be a disk-shapedplate made of plastic or silicone. The outside diameter of the bottle mount 112 may be greater than the diameter of the neck 182 of the baby bottle 185 and seal against a top edge of the baby bottle 185 when the bottle cap collar 150 is fastened to the baby bottle 185. Alternatively, bottle mount 112 may be inserted into baby bottle 185 to maintain the contact seal with an interior surface of the neck 182 of the baby bottle 185. An exterior edge or a top surface 110 of the bottle mount 112 may have a rubber or rubber-like dipped seal that seals against the interior surface of the bottle cap collar 150 when joined together. Alternatively, or in combination, a rubber or rubber-like dipped seal may exist on the interior surface of the bottle cap collar 150. The interior surface of the bottle cap collar 150 may seal against the bottle mount 112, a neck 182 of the baby bottle 185, or a teat insert. The screw threads of the bottle cap collar 150 may be coated in the same rubber or rubberlike material.

[0029] A valve housing may mount upon and extend upwards from bottle mount 112. As shown in FIG. 1, valve housing 120, such as a cylindrical piece of tube, may be centrally disposed upon the bottle mount 112. Valve housing 120 may be inserted into a valve mount 118 to secure valve housing 120 upon bottle mount 112. The valve housing 120 disposed upon the bottle mount 112 may extend upwards from an aperture 114 in the bottle mount 112. A first pathway 122 within valve housing 120 may be disposed over and align with the aperture 114 in the bottle mount 112. The first pathway 122 may be defined by the valve housing 120 and the aperture 114 of bottle mount 112 along a central vertical axis of the bottle cap adaptor 100.

[0030] Various tubular connections can be made between the vacuum device 175 and the bottle cap adaptor 100. A simple connection between the vacuum device 175 and the bottle cap adaptor 100 may include a vacuum tube 115. As shown in FIG. 1, vacuum tube 115 has a larger diameter than valve housing 120 so that valve housing 120 may insert into vacuum tube 115 with a friction fit. Vacuum tube 115 may have an inner shelf surrounding a central aperture (not shown). The central aperture of vacuum tube 115 may be slightly larger than valve housing 120. The inner shelf with central aperture may allow airflow but prevent the valve housing 120 from fully entering the larger diameter tubing.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 1, a check valve 130 is inserted into valve mount 118. Alternatively, the check valve 130 may be inserted into the aperture 114 of the bottle mount 112 within the first pathway 122. The valve housing 120 and a valve insert 131 may function together to form the check valve 130. Check valve 130 may cooperate with the valve mount 118 or aperture 114 of bottle mount 112 by a friction fit. Fastening means, such as fasteners, adhesives, and screw- on or snap-on type fittings may be used by the check valve 130, valve mount 118, and / or bottle mount 112 for connection between parts.

[0032] Valve insert 131 may be structured with a mount portion 132 and a plug portion 134 which engage annular ledges or seats disposed on an interior surface of the valve housing 120, as discussed later. The mount portion 132 may be a partitioned, disk-shaped cylinder made of plastic or silicone. The outer edges of mount portion 132 may have an outside diameter that matches and seals with an inside diameter of the interior sidewall of valve housing 120. Alternatively, an inner shelf may be disposed within first pathway 122 of valve housing 120 to allow airflow but prevent the valve insert 131 from being ejected into the vacuum tube 115 or baby bottle 185 during vacuum treatment.

[0033] Dissolved gases 125 release from a liquid solution 180 contained within a storage cavity 170 of the baby bottle 185 as vacuum pressure 165 is applied to the baby bottle 185. Vacuum pressure 165 is applied via vacuum device 175 connected to check valve 130. The check valve 130 passively seals with ambient atmospheric pressure 195 that is greater than the negative pressure 190 within the storage cavity 170. Check valve 130 may passively seal upon reaching a threshold negative pressure within the storage cavity 170. The storage cavity 170 may be disposed interior of container walls. As shown in FIG. 1, storage cavity 170 is disposed below the neck 182 of the baby bottle 185.

[0034] FIG. 2 depicts another example of a bottle cap adaptor 200. The bottle cap adaptor 200 is shown with a bottle mount 212 that has a top surface 210 that is flat and extends inward towards a central aperture 214. The bottom portion 215 of bottle mount 212 (shown in cutaway cross-section) is disposed below the top surface 210. The bottom portion 215 extends downward from the top surface 210 towards the central vertical axis of the bottle cap adaptor 200. The bottom portion 215 may be made of a compressible and impermeable food safe material such as foodgrade silicone or natural rubber. Therefore, the bottom portion 215 may be inserted into the baby bottle 185 and serve as a stopper, like a cork.

[0035] A valve housing 220 (shown in cross section) may be disposed on an upper portion of the bottle cap adaptor 200 above an open channel 216 disposed through bottle mount 212. The valve housing 220 is shown in cross-section to show the internal features disposed upon the cylinder’s interior surface and the open channel 216 vertically disposed through the bottom portion 215 along the central vertical axis. The valve housing 220 may have a mount portion that cooperates with a valve mount 218 extending from the top surface 210 of the bottle mount 212. The valve housing 220 facilitates the movement of air through the first pathway 122 during pressure changes relative to ambient atmospheric pressure.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 2, an insert mount 224 may be structured to fit within an interior space of valve housing 220. The insert mount 224 may securely stop and seal with the mountportion 132 of the valve insert 131. A ring-shaped insert made of plastic or silicone may serve as insert mount 224. An outside diameter of the insert mount 224 may match an inside diameter of an interior sidewall of the valve housing 220 to form an interference type fit with the interior surface of the valve housing 220. Alternatively, insert mount 224 may be part of the sidewall of the valve housing 220.

[0037] Insert seat 222 may be disposed below insert mount 224 within valve housing 220. The insert seat 222 may be made to fit within the valve housing 220 in a similar fashion. Insert mount 224 and insert seat 222 may be separated by a distance that receives and allows movement of the plug portion 134 of the valve insert 131. Insert seat 222 may be an O-ring that is torus-shaped to cooperatively seal with the plug portion 134 when in engagement together. The inside diameter of the insert seat 222 may be smaller than an outside diameter of the plug portion 134 to effectuate sealing between the two.

[0038] The mount portion 132 of valve insert 131 may be structured to fit frictionally with the insert mount 224 through an engineered fit. As shown in FIG. 3, vertical walls between a top floor and a bottom floor of the mount portion 132 may have radial symmetry and extend outwards from a stem aperture 135 with equal separation. The vertical walls may be spaced evenly apart to form partitioned compartments. The vertical walls of mount portion 132 may decrease the contact surface area between mount portion 132 and the insert mount 224 or an interior sidewall of valve housing 120 for removal of valve insert 131. Therefore, the strength of force to overcome frictional interference between the outer edges of the top and bottom floors of mount portion 132 may be less.

[0039] Stem aperture 135 may be disposed through a central vertical axis of the mount portion 132 to provide a pathway by which airflow, a stem portion 133 of the valve insert 131, or both, may pass. Stem portion 133 may be inserted through stem aperture 135 disposed through the mount portion 132. The stem portion 133 and plug portion 134 of the valve insert 131 may form a plunger body 137. Plunger body 137 may be operable to move (see movement arrow 342 of FIG. 3) relative to mount portion 132 that is stationed at insert mount 224. Alternatively, the stem portion 133 may be fixedly mounted with the mount portion 132 so that the components of the valve insert 131 move simultaneously together.

[0040] The plunger body 137 is shown separately moveable through the stem aperture 135 relative to the mount portion 132. The plunger body 137 may be moveable relative to the mount portion 132 when the engineered fit between the two components has less binding force due to friction relative to the negative pressure applied by a vacuum device. The plunger body 137 may move downwards (see movement arrow 342) within the mount portion 132 by air pressure insidethe baby bottle 185 being less than air pressure outside the baby bottle 185. Alternatively, the plunger body 137 may move upwards (see movement arrow 342) within the mount portion 132 by actuation of the stem portion 133 with a manual pull. Pulling the stem portion 133 of the valve insert 131 may allow the check valve 130 to function as a vent allowing air outside the baby bottle 185 to flow into the baby bottle 185.

[0041] The plug portion 134 may comprise a frustoconical member 140. The frustoconical member 140 may be attached to the stem portion 133. As shown in FIG. 3, the frustoconical member 140 attached to the stem portion 133 of valve insert 131 may extend downwards from an annular seal 136 towards a central vertical axis of the valve insert 131. The frustoconical member 140 may have an outside diameter 138 that is larger than the first pathway 122 passing through the insert seat 422 as shown in FIG. 4. The frustoconical member 140 may be structured to seal with the insert seat 422 by an engineered fit. Alternatively, the outside diameter 138 of the annular seal 136 may be larger than the inside diameter of the valve housing 420 to effectuate sealing between the two components so that negative pressure is maintained within the reusable baby bottle.

[0042] A plurality of ribs 160 may extend outwards from the stem portion 133 across the top of the frustoconical member 140. The plurality of ribs 160 may be triangular shaped to abut between the stem portion 133 and the top surface of the frustoconical member 140. The plurality of ribs 160 may prevent the top surface of the frustoconical member 140 from sealing against the bottom surface of the mount portion 132, which both may be flat.

[0043] Referring again to FIG. 4, valve insert 131 is shown inserted within valve housing 420 to form check valve 130. Mount portion 132 of valve insert 131 is engaged with insert mount 424. Insert mount 424 is an annular seat disposed on an internal wall of valve housing 420. In this arrangement, valve insert 131 may be prevented from traveling down the first pathway 122. Additionally, a substantive face-to-face plate seal may occur between the mount portion 132 and the insert mount 424 when flat faces are in contact. A vacuum device (not shown) may be connected to a first end 417 of valve housing 420 which is opposite a second end 414 attachable to a bottle mount.

[0044] Upon application of vacuum by a vacuum device to valve housing 420, pressure may decrease within the reusable baby bottle to less than ambient atmospheric pressure existing outside the bottle cap adaptor secured to the reusable baby bottle. As shown in FIG. 4, airflow 155 moves from the second end 414 of valve housing 420 through the first pathway 122 towards the first end 417 of valve housing 420. The vacuum device connected at the first end 417 of valve housing 420 that applies a continuous vacuum will result in airflow 155, as depicted, to produce negative pressure upon a liquid solution within a storage cavity of a baby bottle.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 4, airflow 155 drawn towards the first end 417 of valve housing 420 occurs as continuous vacuum is applied by a vacuum device (not shown) connected to the first end 417. Check valve 130 may be structured in such a way that upon application of the continuous vacuum the valve insert 131 does not form a seal within the valve housing 420 of the bottle cap adaptor. Airflow 155 along the first pathway 122 may cause the plug portion 134 to move upwards (see movement arrow 442). However, the plurality of ribs 160 disposed upon the frustoconical member 140 may prevent the frustoconical member 140 from sealing against the underside of mount portion 132. Airflow 155 passing from an upstream portion of the valve housing 420 through the stem aperture 135 of the mount portion 132 moves along a second pathway 426 into a downstream portion of the valve housing 420 as vacuum is applied by the vacuum device.

[0046] The mount portion 132 may resist being drawn upwards by airflow 155 caused by vacuum being applied by a vacuum device (not shown) to the first end 117 of valve housing 420. An engineered fit between the insert mount 224 and the mount portion 132 may exist as shown in FIG. 3. Alternatively, enough frictional interference between the mount portion 132 and the sidewall of the valve housing 420 may secure the mount portion 132 in place as shown in FIG. 4. Alternatively, a biasing member, such as a spring (not shown), may be connected between insert mount 424 and the mount portion 132. The degree of expansion or compression of the biasing member may serve to restrain movement or sealing of the valve components until a set amount of negative pressure in the reusable baby bottle is reached.

[0047] For example, upon increasing vacuum by the vacuum device, movement of the mount portion 132 relative to the insert mount 424 disposed at a set position within valve housing 420 may cause a biasing member that is mounted between the two fixtures to expand. Upon decreasing or stopping vacuum applied by the vacuum device to the first end of valve housing 420, the biasing member may contract as the mount portion 132 returns to a position of rest against the insert mount 424.

[0048] In another example, the biasing member may be connected between insert mount 424 and the frustoconical member 140. Upon increasing vacuum applied by the vacuum device, movement of the frustoconical member 140 relative to the insert mount 424 disposed at a set position within valve housing 420 may cause the biasing member to contract. Upon decreasing or stopping vacuum applied by the vacuum device, the biasing member may expand as the frustoconical member 140 moves into a sealed position with the insert seat 422 due to air pressure within the reusable baby bottle being less than an air pressure outside the reusable baby bottle. Alternatively, the biasing member may be connected between the insert seat 422 and the frustoconical member 140. In the sealed position, the frustoconical member 140 becomessubstantively depressed within the insert seat 422.

[0049] Now referring to FIG. 5, another design for a valve insert is shown. Valve insert 531 has a mount portion 532 that may be a disk-shaped cylinder. Mount portion 532, shown without partitions, may be made from a solid piece of plastic or silicone. This design may increase a force to overcome interference from a frictional fit between the outer edges of the mount portion 532 and an insert mount on an interior sidewall of a valve housing.

[0050] A stem portion 533 and a plug portion 534 of the valve insert 531 may make up a plunger body 537. A cylindrical disc 536 may be disposed between stem portion 533 and plug portion 534. Stem portion 533 may be disposed through the cylindrical disc 536 to connect directly with plug portion 534. Plunger body 137 may be structured to move relative to the mount portion 532. Stem portion 533 may be moveably disposed through the mount portion 532. A stem aperture 535 may be disposed through a central vertical axis of the mount portion 532. Stem portion 533 may be inserted through stem aperture 535. Stem aperture 535 may provide a pathway by which the stem portion 533, airflow, or both may pass. Alternatively, the stem portion 533 may be fixedly mounted with the mount portion 532 so that components of the valve insert 531 move simultaneously together.

[0051] Plug portion 534 may comprise a frustoconical member 540. Frustoconical member 540 may be attached to stem portion 533. Frustoconical member 540 may have a diameter 538 that is larger than a first pathway passing through an insert seat disposed within the valve housing. One or more ribs may be disposed on the top face of cylindrical disc 536. As shown, the plurality of ribs 560 are triangular shaped and extend upwards in adjacent contact with a sidewall of the stem portion 533. The plurality of ribs 560 may serve as an abutment between the cylindrical disc 536 and the stem portion 533. The plurality of ribs 560 may brace the frustoconical member 540 from deformation and prevent sealing of cylindrical disc 536 to a bottom face of the mount portion 532 during vacuum application.

[0052] Now referring to FIG. 6, a valve insert 631 is shown with a plurality of ribs 660 that are cylindrical shaped. The plurality of ribs 660 are shown extending vertically upward from the flat top surface of cylindrical disc 636. The plurality of ribs 560 may prevent the sealing of cylindrical disc 636 to a bottom face of the mount portion 632 during vacuum application.

[0053] Negative pressure may exist within an interior space of the reusable baby bottle after continuous vacuum is applied to a first end 617 of check valve 630. Insert seat 622, which may be an annular seat, extends inward from a surface of an internal wall of valve housing 620. Plug portion 634 of check valve 630 moves towards (see movement arrow 642) the insert seat 622 upon a negative pressure being induced towards a second end 614 of valve housing 620. Upon athreshold negative pressure being induced within the reusable baby bottle connected to the second end 614 of check valve 630, airflow 155 follows along a second pathway 626 to aid airflow 155 in movement of the plug portion 634 into engagement with the insert seat 622. Frustoconical member 640 of plug portion 634 restricts airflow 155 through the first pathway 122 upon sealing with the insert seat 622. The diameter 638 of the cylindrical disc 636 may be larger than the first pathway 122

[0054] FIG. 6 depicts the frustoconical member 640 moving towards a sealed position with insert seat 622 due to air pressure inside the reusable baby bottle being less than air pressure outside the reusable baby bottle. Valve housing 620 might be made of a transparent material so that stem portion 633 of the check valve 630 can be seen. The stem portion 633 may be color coded to serve as an indicator when a threshold negative pressure inside the reusable baby bottle has been achieved. Upon reaching the threshold negative pressure, the frustoconical member 640 of the plug portion 634 wedges into the opening of the insert seat 622. Mating engagement between the frustoconical member 640 and the insert seat 622 limits or prevents airflow from the exterior into the interior of the reusable baby bottle that is sealed. The frustoconical member 640 remains sealed against insert seat 622 until the stem portion 633 of the check valve 630 is pulled upwards to release the seal and vent air back into the reusable baby bottle. Alternatively, the valve insert 631 inserted into the valve housing 620 might be fully removed from the check valve 630 or the bottle cap adaptor that contains the check valve 630 be unscrewed from the reusable baby bottle for venting purposes.

[0055] Now referring to FIG. 7, a bottle cap adaptor 700 of an alternative design is shown utilized in cooperation with a bottle cap collar 750 having a nipple insert 725. The bottle cap adaptor 700 has a sealable outer enclosure 780 that can be stationed upon the bottle cap collar 750 to cover the nipple insert 725. A check valve 730 may be disposed above the bottle cap collar 750. A nipple retainer 735, that may be disc-shaped, may be disposed between the nipple insert 725 and the baby bottle. The nipple retainer 735 prevents the nipple insert 725 from imploding into the baby bottle upon vacuum treatment. A perforation 745, or a plurality of perforations, may be disposed through the nipple retainer 735 to allow airflow into and out of the baby bottle. The nipple retainer 735 may have an outside diameter that fits within an inside diameter of the bottle cap collar 750.

[0056] A valve mount 724 may be disposed above the bottle cap collar 750. The valve mount 724 may be an annular seat disposed on an external wall of a cylinder 720 of the bottle cap adaptor 700. The valve mount 724 may be shaped as an outwardly facing barb that engages with a mount portion 732 of the check valve 730. Cooperation between the valve mount 724 and themount portion 732 retains the check valve 730 in place when pushed into engagement upon the cylinder 720. Alternatively, the valve mount 724 may hold vacuum tubing that is pushed in place over the outwardly facing barb.

[0057] Sealable outer enclosure 780, such as an outer dome wall of the bottle cap adaptor 700, may be disposed beneath check valve 730 when the reusable baby bottle is vertically aligned to rest on a horizontal surface. Sealable outer enclosure 780 may have an outer annular rim 782 that is flat. The outer annular rim 782 is structured to seal against the top surface of the bottle cap collar 750 that may also be flat. A base seal may exist on the top surface of the bottle cap collar 750 and cooperate with the outer annular rim 782 of the sealable outer enclosure 780 when in contact together.

[0058] Sealable inner enclosure 784, such as an inner dome wall of the bottle cap adaptor 700, may be disposed beneath check valve 730 when the reusable baby bottle is vertically aligned to rest on a horizontal surface. Sealable inner enclosure 784 may have an inner annular rim 786 that is flat. The inner annular rim 786 is structured to seal against the top surface of the bottle cap collar 750 that may also be flat. Alternatively, inner annular rim 786 may have a curved surface that cooperates to seal with a curved base of the nipple insert 725 when in contact with each other.

[0059] Positioned at the upper end of check valve 730 is a sealing portion 734 that is structured to permit gas flow through bottle cap adaptor 700 in one direction. Sealing portion 734 may be structured like a check valve that is used in inflatable toys. However, sealing portion 734 may be mounted in an inverted manner to permit airflow 155 away from an interior storage cavity in the reusable baby bottle rather than towards it.

[0060] As shown in FIG. 7, sealing portion 734 may have a base with a pair of elastomeric lips, such as seen in a duckbill type check valve. The elastomeric lips may extend outwards from the base to form the shape of the duckbill. Vacuum pressure applied to the check valve 730 by an exterior vacuum device results in airflow 155 moving from within the reusable baby bottle towards the sealing portion 734 of the check valve 730. Airflow 155 may move through a first pathway at a slotted end 727 of the nipple insert 725 into an interior side of a sealable inner enclosure 784. Airflow 155 then moves from the interior side of the sealable inner enclosure 784 to an exterior side of the bottle cap adaptor 700 through the sealing portion 734.

[0061] Sealing portion 734 may be structured to allow airflow from the exterior of the bottle cap adaptor 700 back into the bottle cap adaptor 700. Squeezing the sealing portion 734 equalizes the air pressure within the bottle cap adaptor 700 after vacuum has been applied. Alternatively, check valve 730 may be removed from the valve mount 724 to equalize the air pressure. An air relief vent 728, such as an air-vent tube, may be disposed through a sidewall at thebase of the nipple insert 725. The sealable outer enclosure 780 or the sealable inner enclosure 784 may push down against, or adjacent to, the air relief vent 728 and open a second pathway 726. The second pathway 726 may allow airflow 155 to exit from the interior storage cavity of the reusable baby bottle undergoing vacuum application.

[0062] Now referring to FIG. 8, a storage cavity 870 of a baby bottle 855 is shown under negative pressure 885 relative to ambient atmospheric pressure 895 outside the baby bottle 855. A bottle cap adaptor 800 may be designed to fit existing and future bottle top types for application of the negative pressure 885 by a vacuum device 875. Alternatively, bottle cap adaptor 800 may seal with a bottle cap collar 850 and serve as a sealable enclosure over the nipple insert 820 while a continuous vacuum is applied to a one-way check valve disposed in the baby bottle 855.

[0063] As shown in FIG. 8, a check valve 830 with one-way flow directionality is disposed in a sidewall on an upper portion of the baby bottle 855. A valve insert 831 of the check valve 830 may have a spherical design. Valve insert 831 may be a ball-type valve having a fluid pathway 822 that extends across a diameter of the valve insert 831. A bottle mount 832, such as an annular seal made of silicone, rubber, plastic, or other elastomeric material, may be mounted within an aperture disposed through baby bottle 855 to seat the valve insert 831. Bottle mount 832 forms a seal between the baby bottle 855 and valve insert 831. Alternatively, valve insert 831 may be made of an impervious material that molds to the wall of baby bottle 855 and seals the annular opening disposed in the wall.

[0064] Valve insert 831 may be rotatable within bottle mount 832. A first insert mount 834 may be disposed at a vertical pole or side of bottle mount 832. First insert mount 834 may be saddle-shaped to fit the curved surface of the valve insert 831. Valve insert 831 may be manually rotated in a counterclockwise direction 825 or a clockwise direction 845, as viewed from above. Rotation of valve insert 831 allows for the fluid pathway 822 to be positioned in a first position (see “Detail A” in FIG. 8), where the air outlet faces an exterior of the baby bottle for vacuuming the storage cavity 870, or in a second position (see “Detail B” in FIG. 9), where the air outlet faces an interior of the baby bottle for venting the storage cavity 870 with ambient atmospheric pressure. Additionally, the valve insert 831 may be rotated to a third position so that the pathway of the fluid pathway 822 aligns with the bottle mount 832 to seal off the air outlet and air inlet for transport or storage of the baby bottle 855. Transport or storage of baby bottle 855 can also occur with the valve insert 831 in the first position. However, the third position may prevent bumping of fluid pathway 822 which may accidentally release liquid solution 880 or negative pressure contained within the storage cavity 870.

[0065] The valve insert 831 may be color coded to indicate a position of the fluid pathway822. The air outlet hemisphere side of valve insert 831 may be colored red to indicate that the fluid pathway 822 is in the first position. In the first position, valve insert 831 may be connected with a vacuum tube 815 for application of continuous vacuum by a vacuum device 875. The air inlet hemisphere side of valve insert 831 may be colored green to indicate the second position. In the second position, valve insert 831 may function as an air-vent tube so that feeding of an infant can occur without interruption by formation of a vacuum within the bottle. A 50 / 50 color arrangement of the valve insert 831 may indicate the baby bottle 855 is ready for transport or storage. Other color combinations or patterns may be utilized on the hemispheres of valve insert 831 to indicate various positions of fluid pathway 822.

[0066] Fluid pathway 822 may be formed by a double-sided reed that retains its shape, like a duckbill. Elastomeric lips may extend outwards from a base to form the shape of the duckbill within fluid pathway 822. Vacuum pressure 865 applied to the valve insert 831 in the first position by a vacuum device 875 results in gaseous flow 835 moving from within the baby bottle 855 towards an exterior space outside the baby bottle 855. The direction of gaseous flow 835 may be reversed upon rotation of valve insert 831 into the second position. As a result, ambient atmospheric pressure 895 outside the baby bottle 855 that is greater than negative pressure 885 within the storage cavity of the baby bottle will result in gaseous flow 905 through the check valve 830 to equalize pressures as shown in FIG. 9.

[0067] The ambient atmospheric pressure 895 on the exterior of the baby bottle 855 attempting to enter the storage cavity 870 that is under negative pressure 885 may cause a reusable baby bottle made of weaker material to implode and collapse inwards. Baby bottle 855 that is placed under negative pressure 885 might be reinforced to withstand the ambient atmospheric pressure 895 that is higher outside the baby bottle 855. The walls of the baby bottle 855 may be reinforced to withstand at least 70 pounds per square inch (approx. 143 in Hg / 484 kPa) of pressure change within the reusable baby bottle.

[0068] A metal spring rod 890 may be inserted vertically into the storage cavity 870 to reinforce and hold out walls of the baby bottle 855 against the ambient atmospheric pressure pushing against the exterior surface of the baby bottle 855. The metal spring rod 890 may be constructed to have a flexible structure in order to be compressed for insertion through a narrower neck of the baby bottle 855. Once inserted, the metal spring rod 890 may spring outwards into contact with walls of the baby bottle 855 for extra support.

[0069] Now referring to FIG. 9, thickened ribs 992 are shown horizontally disposed on the walls of the baby bottle 855 to reinforce the walls of the baby bottle 855. Alternatively, the thickened ribs 992 may be vertically oriented and disposed along the walls for reinforcement ofthe baby bottle 855. The thickened ribs 992 may be made as part of the walls of the baby bottle 855. The thickened ribs 992 are designed to prevent collapse of baby bottle 855 when the storage cavity 870 is under negative pressure for the removal of dissolved gases from the milk solution 880. The thickened ribs 992 may be designed as a flexible, insertable device as discussed above.

[0070] Alternatively, the baby bottle 855 may be manufactured with thicker walls or be made of a stronger material without the use of a metal spring rod 890 or thickened ribs 992. For example, baby bottle 855 may be made of durable materials, such as glass, in order to withstand collapse from higher amounts of negative pressure applied within the storage cavity 870.

[0071] Existing plastic baby bottles may not collapse until a vacuum reduces pressure of the storage cavity 870 by as much as between 20 in Hg to 21 in Hg (approx. 68 kPa to 71 kPa) below ambient atmospheric pressure. In this case, an electric vacuum sealer pump might be utilized to prevent collapse of the walls of the baby bottle 855. A reduction in pressure above this range might require utilization of a baby bottle that features one of the reinforcing aspects, as described above. Glass baby bottles may not collapse even with a reduction in pressure of the storage cavity 870 by as much as between 27 in Hg to 28 in Hg (approx. 91 kPa to 95 kPa) below ambient atmospheric pressure. In this case, a lab grade vacuum pump might be utilized.

[0072] The continuous vacuum applied by the vacuum device to induce negative pressure upon the liquid solution within the baby bottle may be actively engaged for a vacuum period of between 10 seconds to 24 hours. The active vacuum period may be further between 10 seconds to 20 hours, between 10 seconds to 16 hours, between 10 seconds to 12 hours, between 10 seconds to 8 hours, between 10 seconds to 4 hours, between 10 seconds to 1 hour, between 10 seconds to 40 minutes, between 10 seconds to 30 minutes, between 10 seconds to 20 minutes, between 10 seconds to 15 minutes, between 10 seconds to 10 minutes, between 10 seconds to 8 minutes, between 10 seconds to 5 minutes, between 10 seconds to 3 minutes, between 10 seconds to 2 minutes, between 10 seconds to 1 minute, between 15 seconds to 45 seconds, between 10 seconds to 40 seconds, between 15 seconds to 30 seconds, between 10 seconds to 30 seconds, or further between 15 seconds to 25 seconds. The continuous vacuum applied by the vacuum device may be actively engaged and / or disengaged with a timer.

[0073] Several techniques might be utilized for degassing the liquid solutions. Negative pressure might be induced upon milk and liquid formula solutions to reduce or eliminate dissolved gases. Providing a vacuum -treated liquid product that has decreased concentrations of dissolved gases may be fed to an infant as a remedy to reduce or prevent colic and / or indigestion in the infant. In testing, reduction of dissolved gases in milk and liquid formula solutions were found to reduce or eliminate instances of colic and indigestion in the infant when fed the treated solutions. Methodsof reducing, preventing, or treating colic, indigestion, and other digestive disorders within an infant having, or at risk of having, such digestive disorders may be realized upon administering the vacuum-treated liquid solutions.

[0074] In some tests, a liquid solution within the baby bottle container was heated while being maintained under negative pressure to remove dissolved gases from the liquid solution. The liquid solution was prepped within a reusable baby bottle. A continuous vacuum was applied to the reusable baby bottle. In one example, the continuous vacuum was engaged once the liquid solution within the reusable baby bottle met a set temperature. In another example, the liquid solution was heated under negative pressure after continuous vacuum was induced upon the liquid solution within the reusable baby bottle.

[0075] The liquid solution within the reusable baby bottle may be heated to between 85 degrees Fahrenheit (°F) (approx. 30 degrees Celsius (°C)) and 115 °F (approx. 45 °C). The liquid solution may be heated to further between 90 °F (approx. 32 °C) and 115 °F (approx. 45 °C), between 95 °F (approx. 35 °C) and 115 °F (approx. 45 °C), between 100 °F (approx. 38 °C) and 115 °F (approx. 45 °C), between 105 °F (approx. 40 °C) and 115 °F (approx. 45 °C), between 85 °F (approx. 30 °C) and 110 °F (approx. 43 °C), between 85 °F (approx. 30 °C) and 105 °F (approx. 40 °C), between 85 °F (approx. 30 °C) and 100 °F (approx. 38 °C), between 85 °F (approx. 30 °C) and 95 °F (approx. 35 °C), or further between 90 °F (approx. 32 °C) and 100 °F (approx. 38 °C).

[0076] In other tests, the liquid solution within the baby bottle container was agitated while being maintained under negative pressure to remove dissolved gases from the liquid solution. The liquid solution may be prepped within a reusable baby bottle. Agitation of the liquid solution under negative pressure might occur through stirring, shaking, vibrating, or swirling the reusable baby bottle to enhance the removal of dissolved gases suspended within the liquid solution. Centrifugation might be another process by which dissolved gases are removed from the liquid solution. The liquid solution may be stirred briskly to remove dissolved gases by use of a magnetic stirrer within the reusable baby bottle.

[0077] In different tests, the liquid solution within the baby bottle container was pressurized. The liquid solution was prepped within a reusable baby bottle, different pressures were applied upon the liquid solution within the reusable baby bottle above and below ambient atmospheric pressure. In one example, positive pressure was applied upon the liquid solution up to 70 pounds per square inch (approx. 143 in Hg / 484 kPa). Then the positive pressure was maintained at between 15 pounds per square inch (approx. 31 in Hg / 105 kPa) and 70 pounds per square inch (approx. 143 in Hg / 484 kPa) for between 2 minutes to 20 minutes. The positive pressure upon the liquid solution was released within the reusable baby bottle in less than onesecond by a valve being dismounted from a valve mount disposed upon the reusable baby bottle. Next, negative pressure was applied upon the liquid solution down to 2 pounds per square inch (approx. 4 in Hg / 14 kPa). Then the negative pressure was maintained at between 2 pounds per square inch (approx. 4 in Hg / 14 kPa) and 10 pounds per square inch (approx. 20 in Hg / 68 kPa) for between 5 minutes to 24 hours. The negative pressure upon the liquid solution was released within the reusable baby bottle in less than one second by a valve being dismounted from a valve mount disposed upon the reusable baby bottle.

[0078] Any number of combinations and applications of negative pressure, heat, and agitation may be performed together, independently or simultaneously, over different time intervals during the vacuum degassing process to remove dissolved gases from the liquid solutions.

[0079] FIG. 10 is a flowchart of an example method 1000 for removing dissolved gases from a liquid solution within a baby bottle. A vacuum device is connected to a one-way check valve that is mounted to the baby bottle, according to step 1010. A continuous vacuum is applied with the vacuum device to induce negative pressure upon the liquid solution within a storage cavity of the baby bottle, according to step 1020. The negative pressure induced upon the liquid solution within the storage cavity is progressively increased until a threshold negative pressure is achieved, according to step 1030. The threshold negative pressure may be between 10 Kilopascals and 100 Kilopascals, or further between 50 Kilopascals and 85 Kilopascals. The vacuum device may be disconnected after reaching the threshold negative pressure, according to step 1040. The negative pressure may be maintained within the storage cavity after the vacuum device is disconnected, according to step 1050. Optionally, the liquid solution maintained under negative pressure within the storage cavity may be cooled to between 0 degrees Celsius and 5 degrees Celsius. The liquid solution maintained under negative pressure within the storage cavity may be heated to between 30 degrees Celsius and 45 degrees Celsius, according to step 1060. The liquid solution maintained under negative pressure within the storage cavity may be agitated, according to step 1070. Steps 1060 and 1070 may be completed separately, or simultaneously, over a period of between 30 seconds to 48 hours. After removal of between 50% to 90% of dissolved gases from the liquid solution under negative pressure within the storage cavity of the baby bottle, the liquid solution may be fed to an infant to reduce or prevent digestive disorders, according to step 1080.

[0080] FIG. 11 is a flowchart of an example method 1100 for removing dissolved gases from a liquid solution within a baby bottle. A one-way check valve is mounted to the baby bottle in a first position, according to step 1110. In the first position, the check valve is structured to (1) restrict a flow of gas from an exterior of the baby bottle to a storage cavity of the baby bottle and (2) permit a flow of gas from the storage cavity to the exterior of the baby bottle. A vacuum deviceis connected to the check valve mounted to the baby bottle, according to step 1120. A continuous vacuum is applied with the vacuum device to induce negative pressure upon the liquid solution within the storage cavity of the baby bottle, according to step 1130. The vacuum device is disconnected from the check valve, according to step 1140. The check valve is passively sealed with ambient atmospheric pressure, according to step 1150. The negative pressure within the storage cavity of the baby bottle is maintained by the check valve that is sealed.

[0081] FIG. 12 is a flowchart of an example method 1200 for removing dissolved gases from a liquid solution within a baby bottle. A vacuum device is connected to a one-way check valve that is structured to be reversibly mounted to the baby bottle, according to step 1210. In a first position, the check valve is structured to (1) restrict a flow of gas from an exterior of the baby bottle to a storage cavity of the baby bottle and (2) permit a flow of gas from the storage cavity to the exterior of the baby bottle. In a second position, the check valve is structured to (1) restrict the flow of gas from the storage cavity of the baby bottle to the exterior of the baby bottle and (2) permit the flow of gas from the exterior of the baby bottle to the storage cavity of the baby bottle. With the check valve in the first position, a continuous vacuum is applied with the vacuum device to induce negative pressure upon the liquid solution within the storage cavity of the baby bottle, according to step 1220. Between 50% to 90% of dissolved gases are removed from the liquid solution under negative pressure within the storage cavity of the baby bottle during step 1220. With the check valve in the second position, negative pressure upon the liquid solution within the storage cavity is released, according to step 1230. After removal of the dissolved gases, the liquid solution is fed to an infant to reduce or prevent digestive disorders, according to step 1240.

[0082] In accordance with Table 1 below, different liquid solutions were tested under multiple conditions with negative pressure maintained over different time intervals and amounts. Dissolved oxygen concentrations were analyzed with a Milwaukee MW600 Dissolved Oxygen Meter after test runs. Breast milk, cow milk, and liquid formula solutions were vacuum tested for comparison. Various decreases in dissolved oxygen concentrations were observed within the liquid solutions due to different temperatures, amounts of negative pressure, and time intervals applied.

[0083] In accordance with Table 1 below, some liquid solution test runs were placed in an operating refrigerator overnight (approx. 40 °F / 5 °C) while being maintained under negative pressure, and then heated (approx. 100 °F / 40 °C) within a few minutes to simulate warming a baby bottle in preparation for an infant’s feeding. Other liquid solution test runs were maintained under negative pressure while simultaneously being heated to observe the total amount of dissolved gases removed. For some tests, negative pressure level reductions reached 20 in Hg of vacuum (approx. 70 kilopascals (kPa)) below ambient atmospheric pressure with an electric hand-held vacuumpump device. During other tests, negative pressure level reductions reached 27 in Hg (approx. 90 kPa) below ambient atmospheric pressure with a lab grade vacuum pump. Negative pressures induced upon the liquid solutions by continuous vacuum were then maintained over the selected time intervals after the vacuum device was disconnected. Check valves were sealed by ambient atmospheric pressure and maintained negative pressures upon the liquid solutions below ambient atmospheric pressure during the time intervals tested.

[0084] Table 1, which follows, sets forth test results that illustrate percentage decreases in dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations from negative pressures applied to liquid solutions below ambient atmospheric pressure:Table 1 :

[0085] Test results show that applying negative pressure on the liquid solutions reduced dissolved oxygen concentrations by up to 50% to 90% over initial concentrations read by the Milwaukee MW600 Dissolved Oxygen Meter before vacuum application occurred. The amount of time negative pressure was applied, and the amount of temperature of the liquid solution also imparted differences in concentrations. Ambient air is not 100% oxygen, and the dissolved oxygen meter is reading the decrease in oxygen (O2) levels. However, total dissolved gases in the liquid solutions will likewise decrease by 50% to 90%.

[0086] Percentage ranges for total dissolved gases that may be removed from a liquid solution treated within a baby bottle under negative pressure may be between 50% to 100%. The percentage ranges for total dissolved gases removed may be further between 50% to 95%, between 55% to 100%, between 50% to 90%, between 60% to 100%, between 55% to 95%, between 50% to 85%, between 55% to 90%, between 60% to 95%, between 65% to 100%, between 60% to 90%, between 50% to 80%, between 55% to 85%, between 60% to 90%, between 65% to 95%, between 70% to 100%, between 50% to 75%, between 55% to 80%, between 60% to 85%, between 65% to 90%, between 70% to 95%, between 75% to 100%, between 50% to 70%, between 55% to 75%, between 60% to 80%, between 65% to 85%, between 70% to 90%, between 75% to 95%, between 80% to 100%, between 50% to 65%, between 55% to 70%, between 60% to 75%, between 65% to 80%, between 70% to 85%, between 75% to 90%, between 80% to 95%, between 85% to 100%, between 50% to 60%, between 60% to 70%, between 70% to 80%, between 80% to 90%, or further between 90% to 100%.

[0087] Air is predominantly nitrogen gas at approximately 78%. Accordingly, it is possible that during the vacuum test runs of the liquid solutions that up to 28 milligrams per liter (mg / L) to 43 mg / L (approx. 28 parts per million (ppm) to 43 ppm) of nitrogen was removed. If one gram of air has a volume of approximately 0.7 Liters or 700 milliliters (ml) (700 cubic centimeters (cm3)), then 40 mg / L (approx. 40 ppm) of total dissolved gases removed from solution may account for approximately 28 ml (28 cm3) of total air volume removed. This may be equivalent to removing approximately one ounce (oz) (approx. 28 grams) of air per Liter (1,000 cm3) of milk solution, or around 2 ml (approx. 2 cm3) of air per 2 oz (approx. 57 grams) of a feeding solution. These calculations are theoretical since rough approximations were made. One wanting to know the total amount of gas removed would use the ideal gas law equation of PV=nRT so that precise calculations may be made.

[0088] The vacuum-treated milk may be stored under negative pressure, with or without refrigeration. The storage period may be between 30 seconds to 240 hours. The storage period may be further between 30 seconds to 220 hours, between 30 seconds to 200 hours, between 30 seconds to 180 hours, between 30 seconds to 160 hours, between 30 seconds to 140 hours, between 30 seconds to 120 hours, between 30 seconds to 100 hours, between 30 seconds to 80 hours, between 30 seconds to 72 hours, between 30 seconds to 60 hours, between 30 seconds to 48 hours, between 30 seconds to 40 hours, between 30 seconds to 24 hours, between 30 seconds to 20 hours, between 30 seconds to 18 hours, between 30 seconds to 12 hours, between 30 seconds to 8 hours, between 30 seconds to 4 hours, between 1 minute to 48 hours, between 5 minutes to 36 hours, between 10 minutes to 24 hours, between 30 minutes to 18 hours, or further between 1 hour to 8 hours.

[0089] Maintaining the liquid solution under negative pressure in a refrigerator may increase the amount of dissolved gases removed from the liquid solution. The liquid solution within the reusable baby bottle may be cooled to between 32 °F (0 °C) and 42 °F (approx. 5.5 °C). The liquid solution may be cooled to further between 33 °F (approx. 0.5 °C) and 42 °F (5.5 °C), between 34 °F (approx. 1 °C) and 42 °F (5.5 °C), between 35 °F (approx. 1.5 °C) and 42 °F (5.5 °C), between 36 °F (approx. 2 °C) and 42 °F (5.5 °C), between 37 °F (approx. 3 °C) and 42 °F (5.5 °C), between 32 °F (0 °C) and 37 °F (3 °C), between 34 °F (1 °C) and 39 °F (4 °C), or further between 35 °F (1.5 ° C) and 40 °F (4.5 °C).

[0090] The bottle cap adaptor and / or check valve may be left sealed while the reusable baby bottle container is refrigerated or warmed. The bottle cap adaptor may be removed, and a nipple insert placed back within the baby bottle collar once the baby bottle is ready for feeding. Preferably, the vacuum-treated milk is fed to an infant anywhere between 30 seconds to 48 hours after vacuum treatment to provide a fresh and stable milk solution.

[0091] As shown, testing resulted in significant decreases in dissolved oxygen numbers which indicate a significant amount of total dissolved gases being removed, gases which may become part of an infant’s feeding and be released into the infant’s stomach and small intestine during digestion. Gases released from digestion may buildup and become trapped below the lower esophageal sphincter and the pyloric sphincter as gas pockets, thereby causing pain from increased bloating and resulting pressure on the stomach and lower intestine, respectively. Symptoms of a colic baby often include crying and body tension (muscle guarding), such as pulled up or stiffened legs, arched back, or tense abdomen, which may be relieved after the infant passes gas or has a bowel movement.

[0092] During tests run, an infant with regular colic episodes was fed the vacuum -treated liquid solutions stored under negative pressure. Colic symptoms, which typically occurred 30 minutes to 90 minutes after untreated feedings, were reduced or eliminated upon feeding the vacuum-treated liquid solutions. Removing dissolved gases from the liquid solutions by vacuuming and heating prior to infant feeding resulted in a marked reduction or elimination in bouts of colic experienced by the infant tested. When instituted, the period of heating depends on the volume of milk to be treated. Prior to being fed the vacuum -treated milk solution the infant was predictably fussy and slept + / - 2 hours at a time at night. After being fed the vacuum -treated milk solution the infant began to sleep + / - 4 hours between feedings at night and up to + / - 6 hours of sleep at night when on a regular diet of vacuum -treated milk.

[0093] Many types of one-way check valves may be utilized with the vacuum device to induce negative pressure upon the liquid solution and remove dissolved gases from the liquidsolution within a storage cavity of a baby bottle. The check valve will remain open if gas flow remains steady while continuous vacuum is applied or increased. Continuous vacuum is defined as a vacuum that continues without interruptions or reversals, and may be progressive. In a progressive state, the continuous vacuum will increase the amount of negative pressure within the storage cavity until a threshold negative pressure below ambient atmospheric pressure is achieved. The check valve will then close when the negative pressure within the baby bottle reaches the threshold negative pressure, or the vacuum device is stopped or disconnected to release the continuous vacuum. The check valve may be structured to passively seal with ambient atmospheric pressure so that the flow pathway is shut off. To seal passively means the check valve yields to air pressure gradients alone with, or without, outside influences such as mechanical assist mechanisms.

[0094] One-way check valves permit fluids and gaseous flow in one direction while preventing reverse flow. When pressure is applied, fluids and gases enter the check valve through a fluid inlet, pushing open the check valve to permit the fluid or gases to exit through a fluid outlet. If gases enter the check valve in reverse flow through the fluid outlet, then the check valve will close to restrict gases from exiting through the fluid inlet. The check valve may be structured to maintain negative air pressure within a reusable baby bottle, until released. Release of the negative pressure within the reusable baby bottle by unsealing the check valve allows ambient atmospheric pressure outside the reusable baby bottle to equalize the internal space of the reusable baby bottle for feeding of an infant.

[0095] The check valve may be disposed on an exterior surface of the baby bottle or placed within an interior space of the baby bottle. Alternatively, the check valve may be disposed in a mounted configuration with a wall of the bottle container, a bottle cap or lid, a bottle collar or screw ring, or a nipple insert of the baby bottle. The check valve may have opposing bottle mount ends that are symmetrical. A check valve having bottle mounts with symmetry may be oriented reversibly into an outflow configuration or an inflow configuration with the baby bottle. The reversible aspect may allow the check valve to be utilized as an air vent to permit the inflow of gases into the storage cavity. The following check valves are described as examples that may be mounted with baby bottles to facilitate the method for removing dissolved gases from a liquid solution within a baby bottle and / or to vent ambient air back into the storage cavity.

[0096] FIG. 13 depicts a one-way, inline type check valve that may be utilized in the baby bottle vacuum system. Check valve 1330 may comprise a valve housing that has a fluid inlet section 1321 and a fluid outlet section 1320. Sections of the valve housing may be mounted together to house a valve insert 1331, such as a disc-shaped diaphragm made of rubber or food-grade silicone. Valve insert 1331 may be centered within the valve housing upon a valve seat 1322. Check valve 1330 may be mounted to a valve mount of a baby bottle with a mount portion 1332 of the check valve 1330. Mount portion 1332 may be annular extension of the valve housing that mates with the valve mount in a sealable manner.

[0097] Check valve 1330 mounted in a first position with the baby bottle permits the removal of dissolved gases 1325 from a liquid solution contained in a storage cavity of the baby bottle. An inlet port 1314 of check valve 1330 may be disposed towards an interior side of the baby bottle, which is within a storage cavity of the baby bottle. An outlet port 1317 of check valve 1330 may be disposed towards an exterior side of the baby bottle. Outlet port 1317 may be disposed on an outside of the baby bottle. Vacuum pressure applied to check valve 1330 by a vacuum device results in airflow 1355 that moves from the storage cavity through the inlet port 1314 to unseal valve insert 1331 from valve seat 1322 when check valve 1330 is mounted in a first position with the baby bottle. Airflow 1355 continues to move past the valve seat 1322 and valve insert 1331 to release dissolved gases 1325 through outlet port 1317 of check valve 1330. Disconnecting the vacuum device from the check valve 1330 permits ambient air with positive pressure outside the baby bottle to backflow into the outlet port 1317 to seal valve insert 1331 against valve seat 1322, effectively closing a fluid pathway disposed within the check valve 1330 to prevent reverse flow.

[0098] Check valve 1330 may be reversibly mounted to baby bottle. Check valve 1330 that is mounted in a second position with baby bottle permits the release of negative pressure upon the liquid solution contained in the storage cavity of the baby bottle. An inlet port 1314 of check valve 1330 may be disposed towards an exterior side of the baby bottle, which is on an outside of the baby bottle. An outlet port 1317 of check valve 1330 may be disposed towards an interior side of the baby bottle, which is within a storage cavity of the baby bottle. Ambient air having positive pressure outside the baby bottle results in airflow 1355 that moves from the exterior side of the baby bottle through the inlet port 1314 to unseal valve insert 1331 from valve seat 1322 when check valve 1330 is mounted in the second position with the baby bottle. Airflow 1355 continues to move past the valve seat 1322 and valve insert 1331 to exit the check valve 1330 through outlet port 1317 to balance air pressure within the storage cavity of the baby bottle.

[0099] FIG. 14 depicts a one-way, diaphragm type check valve that may be utilized in the baby bottle vacuum system. Check valve 1430 may comprise a valve housing 1420 and a valve insert 1431. Valve housing 1420 may comprise a bottle mount 1454 that mates with a valve mount of the baby bottle in a sealable manner. An inlet side 1414 of the valve housing 1420 may comprise an insert mount 1424 structured to mount the valve insert 1431 within the valve housing 1420. Valve insert 1431 may comprise a mount portion 1434, a stem portion 1433, and a diaphragmportion 1432. Mount portion 1434 retains the valve insert 1431 within insert mount 1424. Stem portion 1433 slides within insert mount 1424 to make valve insert 1431 moveable within valve housing 1420. Diaphragm portion 1432 may be made of a disc-shaped rubber or food-grade silicone that seals a valve aperture 1435 of check valve 1430. When check valve 1430 seals, a threaded cap may be manually screwed upon a cap mount 1452 on an outlet side 1417 of the valve housing 1420.

[0100] FIG. 15 depicts a one-way, ball type check valve that may be utilized in the baby bottle vacuum system. Check valve 1530 may comprise a valve housing 1520 and a valve insert 1531. Valve housing 1520 may comprise a first bottle mount 1532 on a first end and a second bottle mount 1534 on a second end. The bottle mounts may be symmetrical so that check valve 1530 may be reversibly mounted with a valve mount of the baby bottle in a sealable manner. Valve housing 1520 may comprise a fluid pathway 1522 disposed between an inlet port 1514 and an outlet port 1517. As shown in FIG. 15, airflow 1555 entering outlet port 1517 causes the valve insert 1531 to seal the check valve 1530. Valve insert 1531 may comprise a biasing portion 1533, a ball seat portion 1535, and a ball 1537. Biasing portion 1533 and ball seat portion 1535, with assistance of airflow 1555 through the outlet port 1517, moves the ball 1537 to seal the check valve 1530 off from reverse flow. Airflow 1555 through the inlet port 1514 moves the ball 1537 to open the check valve 1530 for forward flow.

[0101] FIG. 16 depicts a one-way, swing type check valve that may be utilized in the baby bottle vacuum system. Check valve 1630 may comprise a valve housing 1620 and a valve insert 1631. Valve housing 1620 may comprise an inlet port 1614 on a first bottle mount end and an outlet port 1617 on a second bottle mount end. The bottle mount ends may be symmetrical so that check valve 1630 may be reversibly mounted with a valve mount of the baby bottle in a sealable manner. As shown in FIG. 16, airflow 1655 entering outlet port 1617 causes the valve insert 1531 to seal the fluid pathway 1622 of check valve 1630. Valve insert 1631 may comprise a disc that pivots on a hinge away from a valve seat to permit flow through or pivot towards the valve seat to block reverse flow.

[0102] FIG. 17 depicts a one-way, duckbill type of check valve that may be utilized in the baby bottle vacuum system. Check valve 1730 may comprise a valve housing 1720 made of rubber, food-grade silicone, or synthetic elastomer. Valve housing 1720 may comprise an inlet port 1714 at a first end and an outlet port 1717 at a second end. Outlet port 1717 may have elastomeric lips connected to a base the valve housing 1720. The elastomeric lips may have the shape of a duck’s beak that retains its shape. As illustrated, the direction of gaseous flow 1755 towards outlet port 1717 from pressure being greater than pressure at the inlet port 1714 closes the upper edges of thelips. There is no flow through the check valve 1730 when the lips are constricted in the sealed configuration. However, when pressure inside the check valve 1730 increases from the inlet port 1714, outlet port 1717 becomes unsealed as the two elastomeric lips separate and gaseous flow 1755 moves through fluid pathway 1722 of check valve 1730.

[0103] Check valve 1730 is shown mounted within a wall 1750 of a baby bottle. Valve housing 1720 comprises a first bottle mount 1732 on a first end and a second bottle mount 1734 on a second end. The bottle mounts may be symmetrical so that check valve 1730 may be reversibly mounted. The bottle mounts may fit with a valve mount disposed in wall 1750 of the baby bottle in a sealable manner.

[0104] Many types of containers, having different sizes and designs, might be mounted with one-way check valves and / or bottle cap adaptors with check valves. In the case of a baby bottle container, any past, existing or future bottle design may be utilized. Reusable baby bottles, sourced from manufacturers such as Tommee Tippee®, Dr. Browns®, Medela®, Phillips®, Munchkin®, and other manufacturer bottle brands, may be utilized. Bottles that are compatible with the degassing apparatuses and methods detailed above may comprise different designs, such as wide necks and slow-flow nipples or narrow neck and fast-flow nipples with- or without air vents. Bottles may be made of different materials, including glass, bisphenol A-free plastic, silicone, or stainless steel, which are compatible with the apparatuses and methods described above.

[0105] The vacuum device utilized with bottle cap adaptors having check valves and / or one-way check valves disposed upon a baby bottle lowers the air pressure in the enclosed baby bottle to remove dissolved oxygen, carbon dioxide, and other entrained gases from the liquid solution. Any number of vacuum devices may be selected and utilized including a pneumatic, rechargeable battery-powered, or electric hand-held vacuum pump, a lab grade vacuum pump, a vacuum-breast pump which can double as the vacuum device, a vacuum sealer pump, a rotary vacuum pump, a compression vacuum mechanism, or other similar and cooperative vacuum devices, which may be wired or wireless. Various sizes and types of suction ports or tubing may be utilized with the vacuum device selected. The vacuum device may be portable or a component part in a stationary vacuum degassing system. The vacuum degassing system may comprise a bottle warmer, agitator, or other pressure device that aids in driving off dissolved gases from the liquid solution.

[0106] In some tests, a lab grade vacuum pump was utilized and reduced the pressure within the reusable baby bottle by as much as 27 in Hg to 28 in Hg (approx. 91 kPa to 95 kPa) below ambient atmospheric pressure. In other tests, an electric vacuum sealer pump was utilizedand reduced the pressure within the reusable baby bottle by as much as 20 in Hg to 21 in Hg (approx. 68 kPa to 71 kPa) below ambient atmospheric pressure. Abreast pump may also serve as a vacuum pump and may reduce the pressure within the reusable baby bottle by as much as 24 in Hg to 25 in Hg (approx. 81 kPa to 85 kPa) below ambient atmospheric pressure.

[0107] Ranges for negative pressure induced upon a liquid solution within a baby bottle may be between one in Hg to 30 in Hg (approx. 3 kPa to 102 kPa) below ambient atmospheric pressure. The ranges may also be between 3 in Hg to 29.5 in Hg (approx. 10 kPa to 100 kPa), between 10 in Hg to 28 in Hg (approx. 34 kPa to 95 kPa), between 15 in Hg to 25 in Hg (approx. 50 kPa to 85 kPa), between 20 in Hg to 30 in Hg (approx. 38 kPa to 102 kPa), between 12 in Hg to 28 in Hg (approx. 40 kPa to 95 kPa), between 14 in Hg to 26 in Hg (approx. 47 kPa to 88 kPa), between 16 in Hg to 24 in Hg (approx. 54 kPa to 82 kPa), or further between 18 in Hg to 22 in Hg (approx. 60 kPa to 75 kPa).

[0108] The ranges for the threshold negative pressure within the storage cavity at which the check valve passively seals may be between 3 in Hg to 29.5 in Hg (approx. 10 kPa to 100 kPa) below ambient atmospheric pressure. The ranges may be further between 10 in Hg to 28 in Hg (approx. 34 kPa to 95 kPa), between 15 in Hg to 25 in Hg (approx. 50 kPa to 85 kPa), between 20 in Hg to 30 in Hg (approx. 38 kPa to 102 kPa), between 12 in Hg to 28 in Hg (approx. 40 kPa to 95 kPa), between 14 in Hg to 26 in Hg (approx. 47 kPa to 88 kPa), between 16 in Hg to 24 in Hg (approx. 54 kPa to 82 kPa), or further between 18 in Hg to 22 in Hg (approx. 60 kPa to 75 kPa).

[0109] The threshold negative pressure at which the check valve passively seals may be 15 in Hg (approx. 50 kPa) below ambient atmospheric pressure, 20 in Hg (approx. 38 kPa) below ambient atmospheric pressure, 22 in Hg (approx. 75 kPa) below ambient atmospheric pressure, 24 in Hg (approx. 82 kPa) below ambient atmospheric pressure, 25 in Hg (approx. 85 kPa) below ambient atmospheric pressure, 26 in Hg (approx. 88 kPa) below ambient atmospheric pressure, 28 in Hg (approx. 95 kPa) below ambient atmospheric pressure, or 30 in Hg (approx. 102 kPa) below ambient atmospheric pressure. The continuous vacuum applied by the vacuum device may be actively engaged and / or disengaged with a pressure-sensitive sensor upon the negative pressure within the storage cavity reaching the threshold negative pressure.

[0110] Other techniques might be utilized to break down feed components within the milk solution for the purpose of reducing or preventing indigestion in an infant. For example, positive and negative pressures may be applied above and below ambient atmospheric pressure to break down the feed components in the liquid solution. In one scenario, negative pressure alone might be applied to potentially break down microbial cell walls and bonds in and between proteins, fats, carbohydrates and other materials within the milk solution to be fed. In another scenario, rapidapplications of negative pressure and then positive pressure to the milk solution may be performed to break down feed components in the milk solution. Alternatively, an application of positive pressure and then an application of negative pressure might be performed to break down feed components within the milk solution. In theory, the microbial cell walls and bonds in and between feed components within the milk solution might undergo cavitations on a microscale that may cause ruptures leading to micro-explosions or micro-implosions. Abrupt changes of low pressure and high pressure may be applied to the milk solution, and vice versa. Prepping the liquid solution in such manners may reduce or eliminate indigestion of the liquid solution within an infant’s digestive system even further.[OHl] For larger volumes of milk solution to be pressure treated, large bulk container like a 5-gallon (approx. 0.189 cubic meters (m3)) bucket or a 15-gallon (approx. 0.568 m3) stainless steel keg might be pressurized by up to 70+ pounds per square inch (approx. 143 in Hg / 484 kPa), then the positive pressure quickly released to allow equalization back to ambient atmospheric pressure between one to five seconds. Subsequently, the milk solution contained within a larger vessel may be compressed under negative pressure down to 2 pounds per square inch (approx. 4 in Hg / 14 kPa), then the negative pressure quickly released to allow equalization back to ambient atmospheric pressure between one second to five seconds. The timing of equalization of pressures may depend on opening size for air to come out of or into the vessel.

[0112] Examples of liquid solutions that may be depressurized, and in some cases also pressurized, by the methods disclosed above may include milk, such as human breast milk or cow milk, including raw, pasteurized, skim, low fat, reduced fat, lactose-free, organic and whole milk types, baby / infant formula solutions, protein or fruit shakes, or vegetable smoothies.

[0113] Processes described above aid in the formation of a vacuum-treated liquid solution that may reduce or prevent instances of digestive disorders, such as infant colic, bloating, gas, constipation, diarrhea, heartbum, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), irritable bowel syndrome, nausea, vomiting, and other gastrointestinal issues.

[0114] It is understood that the invention is not confined to the particular construction and arrangement of parts herein described. That although the drawings and specification set forth a preferred embodiment, and although specific terms are employed, they are used in a description sense only and embody all such forms as come within the scope of the following claims.

[0115] The present disclosure is not to be limited in terms of the particular embodiments described in this application, which are intended as illustrations of various aspects. Many modifications and variations can be made without departing from its spirit and scope. Functionally equivalent methods and apparatuses within the scope of the disclosure, in addition to thoseenumerated herein, are possible from the foregoing descriptions. Such modifications and variations are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims.

[0116] For the convenience of the reader, the above description has focused on a representative sample of all possible embodiments, a sample that teaches the principles of the invention and conveys the best mode contemplated for carrying it out. Throughout this application and its associated file history, when the term “invention” is used, it refers to the entire collection of ideas and principles described; in contrast, the formal definition of the exclusive protected property right is set forth in the claims, which exclusively control. The description has not attempted to exhaustively enumerate all possible variations. Other undescribed variations or modifications may be possible. Where multiple alternative embodiments are described, in many cases it will be possible to combine elements of different embodiments, or to combine elements of the embodiments described here with other modifications or variations that are not expressly described. A list of items does not imply that any or all of the items are mutually exclusive, nor that any or all of the items are comprehensive of any category, unless expressly specified otherwise. In many cases, one feature or group of features may be used separately from the entire apparatus or methods described. Many of those undescribed variations, modifications and variations are within the literal scope of the following claims, and others are equivalent.

[0117] Clause 1. A method for removing dissolved gases from a liquid solution within a baby bottle, the method comprising the steps of: (a) connecting a vacuum device to a one-way check valve mounted to the baby bottle; (b) applying a continuous vacuum with the vacuum device to induce negative pressure upon the liquid solution within a storage cavity of the baby bottle; and (c) progressively increasing the negative pressure induced upon the liquid solution within the storage cavity until a threshold negative pressure of between 10 Kilopascals and 100 Kilopascals is achieved.

[0118] Clause 2. The method of clause 1, wherein the threshold negative pressure is further between 50 Kilopascals and 85 Kilopascals.

[0119] Clause 3. The method of clause 1, further comprising the step of: (a) mounting the one-way check valve to the baby bottle in a first position, wherein the one-way check valve is structured to (1) restrict a flow of gas from an exterior of the baby bottle to the storage cavity and (2) permit a flow of gas from the storage cavity to the exterior of the baby bottle; (b) disconnecting the vacuum device after reaching the threshold negative pressure; and (c) passively sealing the oneway check valve with ambient atmospheric pressure after disconnecting the vacuum device to maintain negative pressure within the storage cavity of the baby bottle.

[0120] Clause 4. The method of clause 1, further comprising the step of: (a) disconnectingthe vacuum device after reaching the threshold negative pressure; and (b) maintaining negative pressure within the storage cavity after disconnecting the vacuum device.

[0121] Clause 5. The method of clause 1, wherein the one-way check valve is structured to be reversibly mounted so that: (a) in a first position, the one-way check valve (1) restricts a flow of gas from an exterior of the baby bottle to the storage cavity of the baby bottle and (2) permits a flow of gas from the storage cavity to the exterior of the baby bottle; and (b) in a second position, the one-way check valve (1) restricts the flow of gas from the storage cavity to the exterior of the baby bottle and (2) permits the flow of gas from the exterior of the baby bottle to the storage cavity.

[0122] Clause 6. The method of clause 1, further comprising the step of: (a) storing the liquid solution under negative pressure within the storage cavity for a period of between 30 seconds and 48 hours.

[0123] Clause 7. The method of clause 1, further comprising the step of: (a) cooling the liquid solution under negative pressure within the storage cavity, wherein the liquid solution is cooled to between 0 degrees Celsius and 5 degrees Celsius.

[0124] Clause 8. The method of clause 1, further comprising the step of: (a) heating the liquid solution under negative pressure within the storage cavity, wherein the liquid solution is heated to between 30 degrees Celsius and 45 degrees Celsius.

[0125] Clause 9. The method of clause 8, further comprising the step of: (a) agitating the liquid solution while heating the liquid solution under negative pressure within the storage cavity.

[0126] Clause 10. The method of clause 1, further comprising the step of: (a) agitating the liquid solution under negative pressure within the storage cavity, wherein the liquid solution is agitated for a period of between 30 seconds to 48 hours.

[0127] Clause 11. A method for removing dissolved gases from a liquid solution within a baby bottle, the method comprising the steps of: (a) mounting a one-way check valve to the baby bottle in a first position, wherein the one-way check valve is structured to (1) restrict a flow of gas from an exterior of the baby bottle to a storage cavity of the baby bottle and (2) permit a flow of gas from the storage cavity to the exterior of the baby bottle; (b) connecting a vacuum device to the one-way check valve mounted to the baby bottle; (c) applying a continuous vacuum with the vacuum device to induce negative pressure upon the liquid solution within the storage cavity of the baby bottle; (d) disconnecting the vacuum device; and (e) passively sealing the one-way check valve with ambient atmospheric pressure to maintain negative pressure within the storage cavity of the baby bottle.

[0128] Clause 12. The method of clause 11, further comprising the step of: (a) progressively increasing the negative pressure induced upon the liquid solution within the storagecavity until a threshold negative pressure of between 50 Kilopascals and 85 Kilopascals is achieved.

[0129] Clause 13. The method of clause 11, further comprising the steps of: (a) heating the liquid solution under negative pressure within the storage cavity, wherein the liquid solution is heated to between 30 degrees Celsius and 45 degrees Celsius; and (b) agitating the liquid solution while heating the liquid solution under negative pressure within the storage cavity.

[0130] Clause 14. The method of clause 11, wherein the one-way check valve is structured to be reversibly mounted so that: (a) in a second position, the one-way check valve (1) restricts the flow of gas from the storage cavity to the exterior of the baby bottle and (2) permits the flow of gas from the exterior of the baby bottle to the storage cavity.

[0131] Clause 15. A method for removing dissolved gases from a liquid solution within a baby bottle, the method comprising the steps of: (a) connecting a vacuum device to a one-way check valve mounted to the baby bottle, wherein the one-way check valve is structured to be reversibly mounted so that: (i) in a first position, the one-way check valve (1) restricts a flow of gas from an exterior of the baby bottle to a storage cavity of the baby bottle and (2) permits a flow of gas from the storage cavity to the exterior of the baby bottle; (ii) in a second position, the oneway check valve (1) restricts the flow of gas from the storage cavity to the exterior of the baby bottle and (2) permits the flow of gas from the exterior of the baby bottle to the storage cavity; and (b) applying a continuous vacuum with the vacuum device to induce negative pressure upon the liquid solution within the storage cavity of the baby bottle, wherein the one-way check valve is in the first position.

[0132] Clause 16. The method of clause 15, further comprising the step of: (a) progressively increasing the negative pressure induced upon the liquid solution within the storage cavity until a threshold negative pressure of between 50 Kilopascals and 85 Kilopascals is achieved.

[0133] Clause 17. The method of clause 15, further comprising the step of: (a) heating the liquid solution under negative pressure within the storage cavity, wherein the liquid solution is heated to between 30 degrees Celsius and 45 degrees Celsius; and (b) agitating the liquid solution while heating the liquid solution under negative pressure within the storage cavity.

[0134] Clause 18. The method of clause 15, further comprising the steps of: (a) disconnecting the vacuum device after reaching a threshold negative pressure; and (b) passively sealing the one-way check valve, mounted in the first position, with ambient atmospheric pressure after disconnecting the vacuum device to maintain negative pressure within the storage cavity of the baby bottle.

Claims

CLAIMSI claim:

1. A method for removing dissolved gases from a liquid solution within a baby bottle, the method comprising the steps of: a. connecting a vacuum device to a one-way check valve mounted to the baby bottle; b. applying a continuous vacuum with the vacuum device to induce negative pressure upon the liquid solution within a storage cavity of the baby bottle; and c. progressively increasing the negative pressure induced upon the liquid solution within the storage cavity until a threshold negative pressure of between 10 Kilopascals and 100 Kilopascals below ambient atmospheric pressure is achieved.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the threshold negative pressure is further between 50 Kilopascals and 85 Kilopascals below ambient atmospheric pressure.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of: a. mounting the one-way check valve to the baby bottle in a first position, wherein the one-way check valve is structured to (1) restrict a flow of gas from an exterior of the baby bottle to the storage cavity and (2) permit a flow of gas from the storage cavity to the exterior of the baby bottle; b. disconnecting the vacuum device after reaching the threshold negative pressure; and c. passively sealing the one-way check valve with ambient atmospheric pressure after disconnecting the vacuum device to maintain negative pressure within the storage cavity of the baby bottle.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of: a. disconnecting the vacuum device after reaching the threshold negative pressure; and b. maintaining negative pressure within the storage cavity after disconnecting the vacuum device.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the one-way check valve is structured to be reversibly mounted so that: a. in a first position, the one-way check valve (1) restricts a flow of gas from an exterior of the baby bottle to the storage cavity of the baby bottle and (2) permits a flow of gas from the storage cavity to the exterior of the baby bottle; andb. in a second position, the one-way check valve (1) restricts the flow of gas from the storage cavity to the exterior of the baby bottle and (2) permits the flow of gas from the exterior of the baby bottle to the storage cavity.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of: a. storing the liquid solution under negative pressure within the storage cavity for a period of between 30 seconds and 48 hours.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of: a. cooling the liquid solution under negative pressure within the storage cavity, wherein the liquid solution is cooled to between 0 degrees Celsius and 5 degrees Celsius.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of: a. heating the liquid solution under negative pressure within the storage cavity, wherein the liquid solution is heated to between 30 degrees Celsius and 45 degrees Celsius.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising the step of: a. agitating the liquid solution while heating the liquid solution under negative pressure within the storage cavity.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of: a. agitating the liquid solution under negative pressure within the storage cavity, wherein the liquid solution is agitated for a period of between 30 seconds to 48 hours.

11. A method for removing dissolved gases from a liquid solution within a baby bottle, the method comprising the steps of: a. mounting a one-way check valve to the baby bottle in a first position, wherein the one-way check valve is structured to (1) restrict a flow of gas from an exterior of the baby bottle to a storage cavity of the baby bottle and (2) permit a flow of gas from the storage cavity to the exterior of the baby bottle; b. connecting a vacuum device to the one-way check valve mounted to the baby bottle; c. applying a continuous vacuum with the vacuum device to induce negative pressure upon the liquid solution within the storage cavity of the baby bottle; d. disconnecting the vacuum device; and e. passively sealing the one-way check valve with ambient atmospheric pressure to maintain negative pressure within the storage cavity of the baby bottle.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of: a. progressively increasing the negative pressure induced upon the liquid solution within the storage cavity until a threshold negative pressure of between 50 Kilopascals and 85 Kilopascals below ambient atmospheric pressure is achieved.

13. The method of claim 11, further comprising the steps of: a. heating the liquid solution under negative pressure within the storage cavity, wherein the liquid solution is heated to between 30 degrees Celsius and 45 degrees Celsius; and b. agitating the liquid solution while heating the liquid solution under negative pressure within the storage cavity.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the one-way check valve is structured to be reversibly mounted so that: a. in a second position, the one-way check valve (1) restricts the flow of gas from the storage cavity to the exterior of the baby bottle and (2) permits the flow of gas from the exterior of the baby bottle to the storage cavity.

15. A method for removing dissolved gases from a liquid solution within a baby bottle, the method comprising the steps of: a. connecting a vacuum device to a one-way check valve mounted to the baby bottle, wherein the one-way check valve is structured to be reversibly mounted so that: i. in a first position, the one-way check valve (1) restricts a flow of gas from an exterior of the baby bottle to a storage cavity of the baby bottle and (2) permits a flow of gas from the storage cavity to the exterior of the baby bottle; ii. in a second position, the one-way check valve (1) restricts the flow of gas from the storage cavity to the exterior of the baby bottle and (2) permits the flow of gas from the exterior of the baby bottle to the storage cavity; and b. applying a continuous vacuum with the vacuum device to induce negative pressure upon the liquid solution within the storage cavity of the baby bottle, wherein the one-way check valve is in the first position.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of: a. progressively increasing the negative pressure induced upon the liquid solution within the storage cavity until a threshold negative pressure of between 50 Kilopascals and 85 Kilopascals below ambient atmospheric pressure is achieved.

17. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of: a. heating the liquid solution under negative pressure within the storage cavity, wherein the liquid solution is heated to between 30 degrees Celsius and 45 degrees Celsius; and b. agitating the liquid solution while heating the liquid solution under negative pressure within the storage cavity.

18. The method of claim 15, further comprising the steps of: a. disconnecting the vacuum device after reaching a threshold negative pressure; and b. passively sealing the one-way check valve, mounted in the first position, with ambient atmospheric pressure after disconnecting the vacuum device to maintain negative pressure within the storage cavity of the baby bottle.

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