Nursing bottle

Abstract

A nursing bottle is provided. According to an aspect of the present invention, provided is a nursing bottle comprising: a container provided with a neck portion forming an opening; a teat arranged on the neck portion; and a collar which is coupled to the container to secure the teat on the neck portion, wherein the nursing bottle comprises a vent structure which is coupled to the container and provides an inflow passage for external air, and the vent structure comprises: a support portion which is seated on the neck portion and has an upper surface in contact with the flange portion of the teat; an insert portion inserted into the neck portion; a reservoir channel which is formed in the insert portion to extend toward the inner circumference of the neck portion in the horizontal direction; a vent tube which downwardly extends from the reservoir channel and is connected to the inner space of the container; a vent hole extending from the reservoir channel to the upper surface of the support portion; and a vent channel which extends from the vent hole to the outer edge of the support portion.

Description

feeding bottle

[0001] The present invention relates to a baby bottle, and more particularly, to an anti-colic baby bottle that can suppress colic that may occur due to excessive air intake during feeding of infants and young children.

[0002] It is generally known that colic can occur when infants and young children inhale a lot of air along with breast milk or formula milk (hereinafter, 'liquid' includes breast milk or formula milk) while feeding.

[0003] In particular, a vent may be formed in a specific part of the bottle, such as the nipple, in addition to the liquid outlet to allow outside air to flow into the bottle to suppress the formation of vacuum pressure inside the bottle and facilitate the sucking of liquid by infants and young children. However, outside air drawn in through the vent may remain in the form of bubbles in the liquid as it passes through the liquid and be sucked in together with the liquid, which may cause colic.

[0004] Accordingly, an anti-colic bottle was developed that was designed to allow outside air to enter without coming into contact with the liquid, also known by the brand name Dr. Brown's.

[0005] However, conventional anti-colic bottles feature a vent unit, which is comprised of multiple components that allows outside air to enter without contact with the liquid, making them difficult to clean. This can be a critical weakness for bottles used with infants and young children, who are vulnerable to bacterial contamination.

[0006] Specifically, as disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,779,071, the vent unit (612) of a conventional anti-colic bottle is composed of multiple components such as a reservoir tube (614), a vent insert (616), and a vent tube (630), so that when washing the bottle, each of these components must be separated, washed, and then reassembled, which is inconvenient.

[0007] An embodiment of the present invention provides a feeding bottle that can suppress colic that may occur due to excessive air intake during feeding of infants and toddlers and has a simplified structure that is easy to clean.

[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention, a baby bottle including a container having a neck portion forming an opening, a nipple disposed on the neck portion, and a collar coupled to the container for securing the nipple on the neck portion, the baby bottle including a vent structure coupled to the container for providing an inlet passage for external air, the vent structure including: a support portion that is seated on the neck portion and has an upper surface that contacts a flange portion of the nipple; an insert portion that is inserted into the neck portion; a water storage channel formed in the insert portion to extend horizontally toward an inner circumferential surface of the neck portion; a vent tube that extends downward from the water storage channel and is connected to an inner space of the container; a vent hole that extends from the water storage channel to an upper surface of the support portion; and a vent channel that extends from the vent hole to an outer edge of the support portion.

[0009] The longitudinal ends of the above-mentioned water storage channel may be arranged to face the inner surface of the above-mentioned neck.

[0010] Both longitudinal ends of the above-mentioned water storage channel can be opened to extend to the side of the above-mentioned insert portion.

[0011] The gap between the side surface of the above insert portion and the inner surface of the above neck portion can be sealed by the lower surface of the above support portion.

[0012] The above vent channel is formed in a groove shape on the upper surface of the support, so that the open upper surface of the vent channel is covered by the flange portion of the nipple, and the open end of the vent channel can be connected to a gap formed between the outer surface of the neck and the inner surface of the collar.

[0013] The upper end of the vent tube may be connected to the water storage channel at a position radially spaced from the vertical center line of the neck.

[0014] The above vent tube may be formed to be curved so that the radial distance from the vertical center line of the neck portion increases from the top to the bottom.

[0015] The upper end of the vent tube and the lower end of the vent hole are arranged to be spaced apart in the same radial direction from the vertical center line of the neck portion, but the radial distance from the vertical center line of the neck portion to the lower end of the vent hole may be greater than the radial distance from the vertical center line of the neck portion to the upper end of the vent tube.

[0016] The above vent structure may further include an elastic valve coupled to the upper portion of the vent hole, extending downwardly on both sides, and having a cut line at a pointed bottom.

[0017] The above support portion and the above insert portion are each formed in a ring shape so that a liquid discharge path open in the vertical direction is formed on the inside, and the water storage channel can be defined by a water storage tube formed to extend horizontally across the liquid discharge path.

[0018] According to an embodiment of the present invention, when the bottle is tilted for feeding, even if some of the liquid contained in the container flows into the vent structure through the vent tube, the liquid flows into the first end of the water storage channel, thereby forming an inflow path for external air that does not come into contact with the liquid in the second end of the water storage channel.

[0019] Specifically, as the infant sucks on the nipple and feeding progresses, outside air can be drawn into the inner space of the container through the gap between the outer surface of the neck and the inner surface of the collar, the vent channel, the vent hole, the second stage of the water storage channel, and the vent tube in sequence, depending on the pressure difference.

[0020] That is, the outside air does not come into contact with the liquid during the intake process, which can prevent colic.

[0021] In addition, the vent structure according to an embodiment of the present invention can be easily cleaned because it is structured so that a cleaning brush inserted from the outside can reach the entire internal space of the vent structure even though all components are configured as a single integrated component.

[0022] FIG. 1 is a drawing illustrating a baby bottle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figures 2 and 3 are exploded views of Figure 1,

[0024] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of Figure 1,

[0025] Figure 5 is an exploded view of Figure 4,

[0026] Figure 6 is a partially enlarged view of Figure 4,

[0027] Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing only the vent structure of Fig. 6 cut along line I-I.

[0028] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0029] The attached drawings are not drawn to scale to help understand the invention and the dimensions of some components may be exaggerated.

[0030] The terms used in the specification and claims of the present invention should not be limited to their usual or dictionary meanings, and should be interpreted as meanings and concepts that conform to the technical idea of ​​the present invention, based on the principle that the inventor can appropriately define the concept of the term to explain his or her own invention in the best way.

[0031] In this specification, singular forms will be considered to include plural forms unless otherwise specified.

[0032] Additionally, when a part is described as "including" a certain component, it means that the part may also include other components.

[0033] Additionally, when a component is described as "upper", it means above or below that component, and does not necessarily mean that it is located on the upper side with respect to the direction of gravity.

[0034] Additionally, when a component is described as being "connected" or "coupled" to another component, this may include not only cases where the component is directly connected or coupled to the other component, but also cases where the component is indirectly connected or coupled through another component.

[0035] Additionally, terms such as first, second, etc. may be used to describe certain components, but these terms are only intended to distinguish the components from other components and are not intended to limit the nature, order, or sequence of the components.

[0036] FIG. 1 is a drawing showing a baby bottle according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 2 and 3 are exploded views of FIG. 1.

[0037] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, a baby bottle (10) according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a container (100), a nipple (200), a collar (300), and a vent structure (400).

[0038] The container (100) may have an internal space capable of containing a liquid, for example, breast milk or formula milk.

[0039] An opening (101) may be formed at the top of the container (100) to function as a passage through which liquid is injected into or discharged from the internal space of the container (100).

[0040] The container (100) may have a neck portion (110) formed or partitioned at the top to form an opening (101).

[0041] The neck (110) may be formed with a diameter smaller than the base portion (120) of the container (100), but is not necessarily limited thereto.

[0042] Here, the base (120) can form or partition a liquid receiving space as a part of the container (100) provided below the neck (110), and the closed lower surface of the base (120) can be formed to be generally flat so that the container (100) can be placed on the floor and stand up before and after feeding.

[0043] A screw (111) for screw connection with the collar (300) can be formed on the outer surface of the neck (110).

[0044] The screw (111) may be formed discontinuously so that external air can be more smoothly introduced through the gap formed between the outer surface of the neck (110) and the inner surface of the collar (300).

[0045] The nipple (200) can be placed on the neck (110) of the container (100) and restrained by the collar (300).

[0046] The nipple (200) may be made of an elastic material, for example, silicone, and a liquid discharge port, which is a passage through which liquid contained in the container (100) is discharged, may be formed at the top of the nipple (200).

[0047] The collar (300) can be coupled to the container (100) to restrain the nipple (200) on the neck (110) of the container (100).

[0048] Specifically, the nipple (200) may have a flange portion (210) extending outward from the bottom. The collar (300) may have a flange portion (310) extending inward from the top, and a female screw (320) formed on the inner surface for screwing with the neck portion (110).

[0049] As a result, the collar (300) can be joined to the neck (110) of the container (100) by a screw connection between the female screw (320) and the male screw (111), and the nipple (200) can be restrained on the neck (110) by the flange portion (210) being interposed and compressed between the upper end of the neck (110) and the flange portion (310) of the collar (300).

[0050] The female screw (320) may be formed discontinuously so that external air can be more smoothly introduced through the gap formed between the outer surface of the neck (110) and the inner surface of the collar (300).

[0051] The vent structure (400) can be coupled to the container (100) to provide an inflow passage for external air.

[0052] Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of Fig. 1, Fig. 5 is an exploded view of Fig. 4, Fig. 6 is a partial enlarged view of Fig. 4, and Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I, showing only the vent structure of Fig. 6.

[0053] Referring to FIGS. 4 to 7, the vent structure (400) may include a support portion (410), an insert portion (420), a water storage channel (430), a vent tube (440), a vent hole (450), and a vent channel (460), and may further include an elastic valve (470).

[0054] The support member (410) can be mounted on the neck member (110), and the insert member (420) can be inserted into the neck member (110).

[0055] The support part (410) and the insert part (420) may be formed as one piece, in which case the support part (410) may mean a part that is not inserted into the neck part (110), and the insert part (420) may mean a part that is inserted into the neck part (110).

[0056] The upper surface (411) of the support (410) can contact the flange portion (210) of the nipple (200), and the lower surface (412) of the support (410) can contact the upper end of the neck portion (110).

[0057] The support (410) may have a circular ring (plate) shape. In this case, the inner diameter of the support (410) may be smaller than the inner diameter of the neck (110), and the outer diameter of the support (410) may be larger than the inner diameter of the neck (110).

[0058] The insert portion (420) may be formed in a circular ring (cylinder) shape, similar to the support portion (410). As a result, a liquid discharge passage (401) open in the vertical direction may be formed on the inner side of the support portion (410) and the insert portion (420). The liquid discharge passage (401) may function as a passage through which the liquid contained in the base portion (120) of the container (100) may flow into the inner space of the nipple (200).

[0059] A water storage channel (430) may be formed in the insert portion (420). More specifically, at least a portion of the water storage channel (430), for example, both open ends of the water storage channel (430), may be disposed within the neck portion (110).

[0060] Additionally, the water storage channel (430) may be formed to extend horizontally toward the inner surface of the neck (110). In the present specification, the horizontal direction or the upper and lower divisions are considered to be set in a state where the bottle (10) is placed on the floor and stands upright as shown in FIG. 4, unless otherwise specifically described.

[0061] The longitudinal (horizontal) ends of the water storage channel (430) can be arranged to face the inner surface of the neck (110).

[0062] More preferably, both longitudinal ends of the water storage channel (430) may be extended to the side surface (421) of the insert portion (420) and opened. That is, a pair of openings (422) connected to both ends of the water storage channel (430) may be formed on the side surface (421) of the insert portion (420). As a result, a cleaning brush for cleaning the water storage channel (430) may be inserted into the water storage channel (430) through the openings (422).

[0063] Meanwhile, a gap (G1) that may be formed between the side surface (421) of the insert portion (420) and the inner surface of the neck portion (110) may be sealed by the lower surface (412) of the support portion (410).

[0064] As a result, even if the liquid flowing into the storage channel (430) flows through the open end of the storage channel (430) into the gap (G1) between the side surface (421) of the insert portion (420) and the inner surface of the neck portion (110), the problem of being blocked by the lower surface (412) of the support portion (410) and leaking into the gap (G2) formed between the outer surface of the neck portion (110) and the inner surface of the collar (300) can be improved.

[0065] Additionally, the insert portion (420) may have a protrusion (423) extending in the circumferential direction at the lower portion of the side (421).

[0066] The protrusion (423) may protrude from the side surface (421) of the insert portion (420), for example, in the shape of a circular ring.

[0067] The protrusion (423) can be in close contact with the inner surface of the neck (110) to isolate the gap (G1) from the inner space of the container (100).

[0068] That is, the protrusion (423) can prevent the gap (G1) from being directly connected to the internal space of the container (100) through the bottom of the gap (G1), thereby improving the problem of liquid contained in the container (100) flowing into the storage channel (430) through the gap (G1).

[0069] Meanwhile, the water storage channel (430) may mean a space partitioned by a water storage tube (430´) formed to extend horizontally across the liquid discharge path (401).

[0070] The vent tube (440) can extend downward from the water storage channel (430) and be connected to the internal space of the container (100).

[0071] For example, the open top of the vent tube (440) can be connected to the water storage channel (430), and the open bottom of the vent tube (440) can be connected to the interior space of the container (100).

[0072] The upper end of the vent tube (440) may be connected to the storage channel (430) at a position spaced apart in the radial direction of the neck (110) from an imaginary center line (AA) extending in the vertical direction of the neck (110). More preferably, the upper end of the vent tube (440) may be arranged close to the second end in the longitudinal direction of the storage channel (430). In this case, the maximum liquid holding volume of the storage channel (430) that allows external air to be introduced without contacting the liquid contained in the storage channel (430) may be increased.

[0073] The vent tube (440) may be formed to be curved outward so that the radial distance from the vertical center line (AA) of the neck (110) increases from the top to the bottom.

[0074] As a result, the possibility of additional fluid inflow through the vent tube (440) during feeding may be reduced.

[0075] The vent hole (450) can be formed to extend from the water storage channel (430) to the upper surface of the support member (410).

[0076] The vent channel (460) can be formed to extend from the vent hole (450) to the outer edge of the support member (410).

[0077] As a result, the water storage channel (430) can be connected to the gap (G2) between the outer surface of the neck (110) and the inner surface of the collar (300) through the vent hole (450) and the vent channel (460).

[0078] For example, the vent channel (460) may be formed in a groove shape on the upper surface of the support member (410).

[0079] As a result, the open upper surface of the vent channel (460) can be covered or sealed by the flange portion (210) of the nipple (200), and the open outer end of the vent channel (460) can be connected to the gap (G2) formed between the outer surface of the neck (110) and the inner surface of the collar (300).

[0080] The lower end of the vent hole (450), i.e., the end connected to the water storage channel (430), may be positioned radially apart from the vertical center line (AA) of the neck (110), similar to the upper end of the vent tube (440).

[0081] That is, the upper part of the vent tube (440) and the lower part of the vent hole (450) can be arranged closer to the second end than the first end of the water storage channel (430).

[0082] As a result, a liquid storage space can be formed in the first end of the storage channel (430), and an external air inlet passage can be formed in the second end of the storage channel (430).

[0083] In addition, the radial distance (R1) from the vertical center line (AA) of the neck (110) to the lower end of the vent hole (450) may be greater than the radial distance (R2) from the vertical center line (AA) of the neck (110) to the upper end of the vent tube (440). As a result, when the bottle (10) is tilted for feeding, the possibility of the liquid remaining in the vent tube (440) flowing into the vent hole (450) while flowing to the first end of the water storage channel (430) can be reduced.

[0084] Additionally, the lower surface of the storage channel (430) may be formed to slope downward from the first end and / or the second end of the storage channel (430) to the upper end of the vent tube (440), which may be to facilitate liquid flow and discharge in the storage channel (430).

[0085] The elastic valve (470) can be coupled to the vent hole (450) and can be configured to allow smooth inflow of external air while preventing or suppressing discharge of liquid through the vent hole (450).

[0086] The elastic valve (470) is made of an elastic material, for example, silicone, and closes the vent hole (450), but may have a cut line (471) that opens by elastic deformation according to the pressure difference above and below the elastic valve (470).

[0087] For example, the elastic valve (470) may be coupled to the upper portion of the vent hole (450), and both sides of the elastic valve (470) may extend downwardly, and a cut line (471) may be provided at the lower end of the elastic valve (470) formed to be pointed thereby.

[0088] While the above description focuses on preferred embodiments of the present invention, these are merely examples and are not intended to limit the present invention. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications and variations of the embodiments can be made by adding, modifying, deleting, or adding components, without departing from the technical spirit of the present invention as defined in the claims. Such modifications and variations are also considered to fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A feeding bottle comprising a container having a neck forming an opening, a nipple positioned on the neck, and a collar coupled to the container to restrain the nipple on the neck, A vent structure is included that is coupled to the above container and provides an inflow passage for external air, The above vent structure is, A support member having an upper surface that is positioned on the neck and contacts the flange portion of the nipple; An insert portion inserted into the above neck portion; A water storage channel formed in the insert portion to extend horizontally toward the inner surface of the neck portion; A vent tube extending downward from the above water storage channel and connected to the internal space of the container; A vent hole extending from the above water channel to the upper surface of the support; and A bottle comprising a vent channel extending from the vent hole to the outer edge of the support.

2. In paragraph 1, A bottle in which the longitudinal ends of the above water storage channel are arranged to face the inner surface of the neck.

3. In paragraph 2, A baby bottle in which both longitudinal ends of the above water storage channel are open and extend to the side of the above insert.

4. In paragraph 3, A baby bottle in which the gap between the side surface of the insert portion and the inner surface of the neck portion is sealed by the lower surface of the support portion.

5. In paragraph 1, A baby bottle in which the vent channel is formed in a groove shape on the upper surface of the support, the open upper surface of the vent channel is covered by the flange portion of the nipple, and the open end of the vent channel is connected to a gap formed between the outer surface of the neck and the inner surface of the collar.

6. In paragraph 1, The upper end of the vent tube is connected to the water storage channel at a position radially spaced from the upper and lower center line of the neck.

7. In paragraph 6, A baby bottle in which the above vent tube is formed to be curved so that the radial distance from the upper and lower center line of the neck portion increases from the top to the bottom.

8. In paragraph 6, A bottle in which the upper end of the vent tube and the lower end of the vent hole are arranged to be spaced apart in the same radial direction from the vertical center line of the neck, and the radial distance from the vertical center line of the neck to the lower end of the vent hole is greater than the radial distance from the vertical center line of the neck to the upper end of the vent tube.

9. In paragraph 1, The above vent structure is, A baby bottle further comprising an elastic valve coupled to the upper portion of the vent hole, the elastic valve extending downwardly on both sides and having a cut line at the pointed bottom.

10. In paragraph 1, A baby bottle in which the support portion and the insert portion are each formed in a ring shape so that a liquid discharge path open in the vertical direction is formed on the inside, and the water storage channel is defined by a water storage tube formed so as to extend horizontally across the liquid discharge path.

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