AU696136B2

AU696136B2 - Feeding bottle

Info

Publication number: AU696136B2
Application number: AU75844/94A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Charmayne Maria Oldani
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1993-10-20
Filing date: 1994-10-14
Publication date: 1998-09-03
Anticipated expiration: 2014-10-14
Also published as: AU7584494A

Description

Regulation 3.2 -I1-

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 CI~ET'E SPE C II~' I C1~E~ I OJ I S 'I'2~J ~T D2\1~D 2Afl~ iN ~P *4

APPLICANT:

NUMBER:

FILING DATE: CHIXRMAYNE MARIA OLDANI PM1 929 20/10/93 *4 S. *.ee invention Title: FEEDING BOTTLE The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us: .u 2 "FEEDING BOTTLE" TECHNICAL FIELD This invention relates to a feeding bottle for humans or animals and to a feeding bottle heater assembly.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION When preparing a milk based feed for a baby it is usual to store pre-mixed feed in a feeding bottle and to then place the bottle in a refrigerator. When the time arrives for baby's feed, water is heated and then poured into a container, the bottle is then removed from the refrigerator and placed in the container of hot water for 15 the purpose of heating the milk based feed to the desired Stemperature.

S" The present invention aims to provide a useful alternative to the above method and apparatus for heating a liquid and/or to provide a method and apparatus for heating liquids which will be reliable and efficient in use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention in one aspect resides broadly in a S" 25 feeding bottle including:an opening, a cover asspbly releasably engageable with the bottle to cover the opening, heating means for heating liquid in the bottle, and temperature control means for setting the temperature to which the liquid is to be heated; wherein the cover assembly includes the heating means.

Any suitable form of releasable engagement means may be used. The releasable engagement means could, for example, be in the form of a screwthreaded arrangement or a snap-on fit.

Any suitable form of heating means may be provided.

I

For example the heating means may be in the form of a suitably shaped electrical heating element which depends from the cover assembly. Thus the heating means may be arranged to be immersed in fluid in the bottle when the cover assembly covers the opening. In another embodiment the heating means may include a collar portion which girdles the exterior of the bottle when the cover assembly covers the opening.

The apparatus may include venting or pressure relief means to avoid excess pressure in the bottle or to avoid a vacuum during feeding. Preferably the venting or pressure relief means includes a vent pipe to vent air from the bottle when the fluid is heated.

It is preferred that the cover assembly includes a surface for supporting an inverted feeding bottle in stable equilibrium and power supply means which supply power to heat the heating means. The power supply means suitably includes socket means for receiving an Selectrical power supply cord. Alternatively the power supply means may be a rechargeable battery pack.

In a preferred embodiment the cover assembly, heating means and temperature control means are included in a support assembly for supporting the bottle during heating. In such an embodiment the cover assembly may be S 25 pivotally mounted on the support assembly whereby the bottle can be inverted when being heated.

The temperature control means can be any suitable means for controlling temperature such as a bimetallic strip or other temperature-sensitive switching device.

The temperature control means can include selectively variable setting means for setting the temperature to which it is desired the liquid be heated.

In another aspect this invention resides broadly in a feeding bottle including:an opening, a cover assembly releasably engageable with the bottle to cover the opening and having heating means depending from the cover assembly for heating liquid in the bottle and power receiving means for receiving electrical power for the heating means, and power supply means having adjustable temperature control means for setting the temperature to which the liquid is to be heated and engagement means for releasable engagement with the cover assembly whereby electrical contact is established therebetween.

In this embodiment, electrical contact is preferably established between the power receiving means and the engagement means upon rotation of the power supply means relative to the cover assembly.

In a further aspect this invention resides broadly in a feeding bottle heater assembly including:engagement means for releasably engaging the opening 0:0P S 15 of a feeding bottle; heating means associated with the engagement means for heating liquid in the feeding bottle, and temperature control means for setting the o* temperature to which the liquid is to be heated; the heater assembly constituting a cover assembly engageable with the feeding bottle to cover the bottle opening during heating, and the engagement means defining a well in which the liquid is heated and from which heated liquid is replaced by convection.

,i S 25 Suitably the configuration of the well corresponds with the configuration of neck of the feeding bottle.

The heating element may be located in the well or about the well.

The apparatus may be formed of any suitable material or materials to conform with any regulations or guidelines relating to, for example hygiene or electrical safety. For example, appropriate feeding bottle components may be coated with a suitable material such as glass or ceramics. The components of the feeding bottle may be arranged to be readily disassembled in order to facilitate cleaning of the components.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS In order that this invention may be more easily understood and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings wherein:- FIG 1 is a part sectional front view of a known baby's feeding bottle; FIG 2 is a front view of the bottle of FIG 1 fitted with apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention, FIG 3 illustrates an inverted bottle ready for heating, FIGS 4 and 5 illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention, and FIG 6, FIGS 7-8, FIGS 9-10, and FIGS 11-14 illustrate other preferred embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIG 1, a known baby's feeding apparatus 10 includes a container in the form of a bottle 12 having a screwthreaded opening 14 covered by a cap 16. Extending upwardly from the cap 16 is a teat 18.

Referring to FIG 2, the cap 16 of FIG 1 has been

"X'D

removed and replaced by a cap 20 having a depending disctype heater element 22. The cap 20 is somewhat deeper than the prior art cap 16 in order to house an electrical .oea S 25 socket 24 for receiving an electrical power supply and also to house temperature control means 26 for controlling the electrical supply to the heater element 22 in response to the temperature of the milk feed in the bottle. Electrical socket 24 and temperature control meanr 26 are well known and are thus shown schematically in cap 20. However it will be realised that a selectively variable setting dial or slide can be positioned in cap 20, and that a temperature sensitive switch may be positioned in known manner within the body of fluid being heated.

In operation, the prepared milk feed is poured into the prior art feed bottle 12, the cap 16 and teat 18 are screwed onto the bottle opening 14 and the bottle is then placed in a refrigerator in the usual manner. When it is time for the baby's feed, the bottle is removed from the refrigerator, and the prior art cap 16 and teat is replaced by the cap 20 and heating element 22 as shown in FIG 2. The temperature control is set to the desired temperature of the milk feed and an electrical supply is fed to the heater element 22 via electrical socket 24.

When the milk has been heated to the desired temperature the cap 20 and heating element 22 are replaced by the prior art cap 16 and teat 18.

As can be seen in FIG 3, a flat upper surface 36 of cap 30 supports bottle 12 on a table or benchtop 38.

Electrical lead 32 is shown connected to cap 30 which includes temperature setting control 34. It will be 15 realised that electrical lead 32 may be permanently wired into cap 30 but preferably lead 32 terminates in a plug (not shown) which plugs into socket 26 (as seen in FIG 3.) Lead 32 may be connectable to a cigarette lighter socket in a motor vehicle for use when travelling.

.Alternatively, in a manner not shown, the lead may be connectable to a source of solar power. For example, portable solar panels may be utilised to energise the heater. A rechargeable battery pack may also be used.

S 25 The battery pack can be housed in cap or can be freestanding.

As can be seen in FIGS 4 and 5, a cover assembly includes adjustable temperature setting control 42, and audio beeper 44 and alerting lamp 46 which respectively sound and illuminate when the mixture has been heated to the desired temperature. Heating element 48 and telescopic vent pipe 50 depend from cover assembly The cover assembly screws onto the bottle in known manner as illustrated in FIG 4.

FIG 6 illustrates an alternative embodiment in which temperature control 26 is located in power supply assembly 52 which is arranged to dock with cover assembly 54 by rotatable engagement of tines (not shown) in the power supply assembly with corresponding arcuate peripherally disposed slots 56 in the cover assembly.

Relative rotation between the cover assembly and the power supply assembly establishes electrical contact therebetween.

FIGS 7 and 8 illustrate an alternative embodiment in which the bottle is mounted for rotation in support stand Cover assembly 58 is pivotally mounted to support stand 60 so that when the bottle is screwed into cover assembly 58 it can be inverted as seen in FIG 7 to enhance heating of the bottle contents. Operation controls 62 are located on support stand FIGS 9 and 10 illustrate another embodiment in which stand 76 has a base 68 and a head 66. Head 66 15 constitutes the cover assembly and has temperature .control 70, audio beeper 74 and support pads 72 located on the substantially flat upper surface. Head 66 can be hinged to the vertical support post of support stand 76 to allow the bottle to be screwed into a heating shroud 64 which depends from head 66. Heating shroud 64 has an insulating outer skin, a heat conductive inner skin and a heating element located between the inner and outer skins. When the assembly is inverted as seen in FIG 25 e heating of the bottle contents is enhanced.

FIGS 11 to 14 illustrate an embodiment in which feeding bottle heater 78 has a base portion 84 housing controls and having a screw-threaded recess 110 into S" which bottle 80 is screwed, or which is screwed onto bottle 80, when the cover assembly is in the orientation seen in FIG 12. Base 84 supports a heat insulating sleeve 86 over which a second heat insulating sleeve 88 slides and is supported in guideways in post 82.

As is best seen in FIG 13, electrical heating element 96 is located in well or recess 110 together with temperature sensor 98. Element 96 is connected to power lead 102 via bus 100. Vent pipe 104 is connected to exit vent 108 located in post 82 by means of a tilt operable valve 106 which operates to prevent the passage of air when the heating assembly is in the configuration seen in FIG 12, but allows the passage of air when the assembly is inverted for heating as seen in FIG 11 to release pressure build-up during heating.

The control system can provide for a sterilising cycle in which the element rapidly heats the bottle to a sterilising temperature before the mixture is heated.

Heat shield 88 can be raised as seen in FIG 11 to cover the bottle during this operation and is held in place by buttons 92 engaging in recesses (not shown) on the interior of sleeve 88. When the heating assembly is screwed onto bottle 80, guides 94 located on the interior of sleeve 86 assist in guiding the assembly over the bottle to align the bottle and heating assembly screw 15 threads. Guides 94 can also be located towards the outer end of sleeve 86 to form a seal providing ar. air ."insulating layer between the sleeve and the bottle.

Alternatively as seen in FIG 14, heating element 112 can be located about the screw-threaded well or recess.

The location of the heating element near the screwthreaded portion ensures that when the bottle is inverted for heating convection assists the heating distribution process.

It will be appreciated that the apparatus of the e f invention dispenses with the need of the prior art method of heating water, standing the feeding bottle in the heated water and then waiting for the milk to reach the desired temperature. The apparatus of the invention results in a speedier and less complex process than the prior art method and the feed is heated to a consistently desired temperature.

It will of course be realised that whilst the above has been given by way of an illustrative example of this invention, all such and other modifications and variations hereto, as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art, are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of the invention as is herein set forth in the appended claims.

Claims

2. A feeding bottle as claimed in claim 1, wherein said heating means depends from said cover assembly.
3. A feeding bottle as claimed in claim 2, wherein said heating means is immersed in fluid in said bottle when said cover assembly covers said opening.
4. A feeding bottle as claimed in claim 2, wherein said heating means includes a collar portion which girdles the exterior of said bottle when said cover assembly covers said opening. *0*e S 25 5. A feeding bottle as claimed in claim 1, wherein said cover assembly includes venting or pressure relief means.
6. A feeding bottle as claimed in claim 5, wherein said venting or pressure relief means includes a vent pipe to vent air from said bottle when said fluid is heated.
7. A feeding bottle as claimed in claim 1, wherein said cover assembly includes a surface for supporting an inverted feeding bottle in stable equilibrium.
8. A feeding bottle as claimed in claim i, wherein said cover assembly includes power supply means which supply power to heat said heating means.
9. A feeding bottle as claimed in claim 8, wherein said power supply means includes socket means for receiving an electrical power supply cord.
10. A feeding bottle as claimed in claim 1, wherein said cover assembly, heating means and temperature control means are included in a support assembly for supporting said bottle during heating.
11. A feeding bottle as claimed in claim 10, wherein said cover assembly is pivotally mounted on said support assembly whereby said bottle can be inverted when being heated. 15 12. A feeding bottle as claimed in claim i, wherein said cover assembly includes selectively variable setting means constituting said temperature control means. •Q 13. A feeding bottle including:- an opening, a cover assembly releasably engageable with said bottle to cover said opening and having heating means depending from said cover assembly for heating liquid in the bottle and power receiving means for receiving S 25 electrical power for said heating means, and power supply means having adjustable temperature o control means for setting the temperature to which the liquid is to be heated and engagement means for releasable engagement with said cover assembly whereby electrical contact is established therebetween.
14. A feeding bottle as claimed in claim 13, wherein electrical contact is established between said power receiving means and said engagement means upon rotation of said power supply means relative to said cover assembly. 11 A feeding bottle heater assembly including:- engagement means for releasably engaging the opening of a feeding bottle; heating means associated with said engagement means for heating liquid in the feeding bottle, and temperature control means for setting the tempe ture to which the liquid is to be heated; said heater assembly constituting a cover assembly engageable with the feeding bottle to cover the bottle opening during heating, and said engagement means defining a well in which the liquid is heated and from which heated liquid is replaced by convection.
16. A feeding bottle heater assembly as claimed in claim 15, wherein the configuration of said well corresponds with the configuration of neck of the feeding bottle.
17. A feeding bottle heater assembly as claimed in claim 16, wherein said heating element is located in said well. 9*
18. A feeding bottle heater assembly as claimed in claim 16, wherein said heating element is located about said S 25 well. DATED this FOURTEENTH day of OCTOBER 1994. CHARMAYNE MARIA OLDANI THOMSON PIZZEY ABSTRACT A feeding bottle(12) provided with an opening, heating means(22) for heating liquid in the bottle and temperature control(24) means to enable the liquid to be heated to a desired temperature. (FIG 2) *eel