Feeding Bottle Air Vent Valve Confined Volume Bubble Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Infants often ingest air during feeding, leading to colic-like symptoms, as existing feeding bottle designs allow air to enter and form bubbles in the liquid, which can reduce the nutritive value of milk and increase the risk of air ingestion.
Innovation Solution
A feeding bottle device with a teat component, container component, and attachment component that includes an air vent valve and a confined volume forming component, which guides air entering through the vent valve to a controlled opening, allowing bubbles to be collected and retained separate from the milk, thereby reducing the release of air into the container volume and increasing the likelihood of bubble collapse.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a venting valve is provided to reduce vacuum and allow air passage, then air can vent into the bottle to prevent vacuum formation, but air enters the liquid and forms bubbles that can be carried to the infant's mouth
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the air venting function by providing separate air inlets at different heights within the bottle. The first air inlet is positioned above the liquid level while the second air inlet is positioned below the liquid level, allowing air to enter without forming bubbles in the liquid that would be carried to the infant.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an intermediary structure (the air inlet positioning system) that mediates between the need for air venting and the need to prevent bubble formation. By carefully positioning air inlets relative to the liquid level, air can enter the bottle without creating harmful bubbles.
2Stress or pressure
If air enters through the venting valve under liquid level, then vacuum is reduced, but bubbles form within the liquid increasing surface to volume ratio and potentially reducing nutritive value
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies local quality by positioning air inlets at specific locations (above and below liquid level) to control where air enters. This localized control ensures air venting occurs without creating widespread bubble formation that would reduce milk nutritive value through oxidation.
3Ease of operation
If bubbles accumulate on the free surface of the liquid, then air venting is achieved, but foam is created which is perceived negatively by caregivers
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the bubble formation issue by providing air inlets that allow air to enter the bottle without creating bubbles in the liquid. The first air inlet above the liquid level and the second air inlet below the liquid level work together to vent air while preventing bubble accumulation on the liquid surface.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The device effectively reduces the risk of colic-like symptoms by minimizing air ingestion and maintaining the nutritive value of milk by controlling the release of air into the container volume, facilitating easier cleaning and disinfection.
Implementation Method 1
air will only be released into the container volume after being held away from the, for example, milk in the container volume for a longer time, which increases a probability of a collapsing of the bubbles
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a feeding bottle device (100) comprising at least one air vent valve (140) for allowing the passage of air from outside the feeding bottle device (100) to within a container volume (125) when the feeding bottle device (100) is assembled, a confined volume forming component (150) for defining a confined volume (155) within a container volume (125) of a container component (120) of the feeding bottle device (100), wherein the confined volume (155) is configured to provide a controlled opening (165) for air entering through the air vent valve (140) into the container volume (125), and an optional duct forming component (170) for forming a guidance duct (175) from the at least one air vent valve (140) to the confined volume (155). The feeding bottle device (100) reduces the risk of colic-like symptoms for an infant.