Pressure equaliser for baby bottle and baby bottle assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing baby bottle valve arrangements, such as those in 'Dr. Brown' bottles, are difficult to clean, especially the tubular sections which extend almost to the bottom, making machine cleaning impossible and requiring manual cleaning with a narrow brush to prevent residue and soiling.
Innovation Solution
The valve arrangement is redesigned to be reversibly divided into two parts along its longitudinal axis, allowing easy disassembly and reassembly, enabling effective cleaning and drying, including the use of a sealing element made of soft materials like silicone for improved sealability and accessibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a tubular valve arrangement extending almost to the bottom of the bottle is used, then air exchange between the teat and inside of the bottle is improved, but cleaning becomes impossible in machines and requires manual cleaning with narrow brushes
Solution Approach 1:
The valve arrangement is divided into two separate hollow elements (first hollow element and second hollow element) that can be detached from each other. This segmentation allows the interior surfaces to be easily accessed for cleaning while maintaining the air exchange function when assembled. The first hollow element contains the tube section extending to the bottom for air exchange, while the second hollow element can be removed to enable cleaning of internal surfaces.
2Reliability
If the valve arrangement is designed as a sealed tunnel system to prevent leakage, then beverage contents are protected from escaping, but the interior becomes difficult to access for cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The valve arrangement transitions from a static sealed tunnel to a dynamic structure where the second hollow element can be detached from the first hollow element. This dynamic design allows the system to switch between a sealed state (for leak prevention during use) and an open state (for cleaning accessibility), resolving the contradiction between reliability and ease of operation.
3Strength
If the hollow element is made as a single integrated piece, then structural integrity is maintained, but disassembly for thorough cleaning is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The single integrated hollow element is divided into two separate hollow elements (first and second) that can be detached from each other. Each element maintains its structural integrity as a complete piece, but the segmentation enables disassembly for thorough cleaning of interior surfaces that would be inaccessible in a single integrated design.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a pressure equaliser (1) comprising: - a hollow element (101) with a cup-shaped section (1011) and a tubular section (1013) that merge seamlessly one into the other, and - a sealing element (103) that comprises a top edge (1031) with a first diameter (DT) and a central part (1033) with a second diameter (D2), wherein the top edge of the cup-shaped section (1011) of the hollow element (101) is inserted into the second inner diameter (D2) of the central part (1033) of the sealing element (103), the pressure equaliser being characterised in that at least the hollow element (101) can be disassembled into at least two hollow element parts (10a, 101b) along its longitudinal axis. The present invention further relates to a baby bottle assembly comprising: - a bottle-shaped container (3), - a pressure equaliser (1) according to the invention, - a screw element (5) and - a nipple (7a) or closure cap (7b).