BR112021018552B1 - APPARATUS FOR INFLATING BABY FEEDING CONTAINERS - Google Patents

Abstract

APPARATUS FOR FILLING INFLATABLE BABY FEEDING CONTAINERS. An emptying device for transferring liquid contents from a supply container to a baby feeding device is disclosed, comprising a positioning and retention mechanism configured to position and hold a double structure comprising (i) a squeeze pack pre-filled with liquid content and constituting said supply container and (ii) an inflatable container constituting said baby feeding device, the positioning and retention mechanism being configured to allow the transfer of the liquid content from the squeeze pack to the inflatable container while the double structure is held; the device further comprises an emptying mechanism configured to apply an emptying pressure to the squeeze pack, thereby evacuating the liquid content into the inflatable container. A method for finishing the baby feeding formula and introducing it into a disposable inflatable container is also disclosed.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[01] The present invention patent relates to the field of devices for filling baby bottles with liquid food.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[02] Most types of baby bottles and devices are reusable and therefore require cleaning, at least as a means of preventing the unwanted development of pathogens. Cleaning and sterilization are the responsibility of parents or guardians.

[03] The inflatable container described in document W02006129302 is disposable and, as such, can contribute to increasing sterility in baby feeding and to minimizing contamination resulting from user error and/or carelessness.

[04] The final preparation of baby feeding formulas is normally done at home by mixing. Therefore, an inflatable container, as disclosed in document W02006129302, must allow a user to introduce the formula into the container in an easy way and as close as possible to maintaining sterility. A method for improving sterility in the finalization and filling of baby feeding formulas in disposable inflatable containers under home conditions, by unqualified persons, is described in the present invention patent.

[05] Making it easier for the user to finish a baby food formula, as well as to fill it into an inflatable container, is also among the objects of the present invention patent.

SUMMARY

[06] Several embodiments of an emptying device for transferring liquid contents from a squeezeable supply container to a baby feeding device are disclosed in a first category of disclosed solutions. In some embodiments, the devices may be electrically powered and configured to allow the transfer of the liquid contents without the use of hands. In other embodiments, the liquid transfer process may be performed manually. The emptying device comprises a mechanical arrangement for holding a double structure comprising (i) a squeezeable container pre-filled with liquid contents and constituting said supply container, being a first part of the double structure; and (ii) an inflatable container constituting said baby feeding device, being a second part of the double structure; the emptying device further comprises a manually or electrically operated emptying mechanism configured to empty the squeezeable container, thereby evacuating its liquid contents into the inflatable container. The device, according to the disclosed subject matter, is referred to as a 'draining device' based on the fact that the supply container is emptied during the liquid transfer process. As can be seen, one can choose to refer to the same device as a 'filling device', based on the fact that the inflatable container of the baby feeding device inflates during the liquid transfer process, simultaneously and as a result of the emptying of the supply container.

[07] According to various embodiments of the present invention patent, the emptying device further comprises a suspension mechanism to hold the double structure with a longitudinal axis in the same vertical orientation in which the squeeze pack is up and the inflatable container is down.

[08] According to various embodiments of the present invention, the suspension mechanism is arranged around a space in which the double structure is to be suspended, between vertical walls that at least partially surround said space, and the suspension mechanism comprises at least two capture means, such as pins. In several other embodiments of the present invention, the capture means may include hooks, spring-loaded clips, outward-folded wall edges, or the like. In some embodiments, the capture means, for example, pins, are horizontally spaced and are oriented to project into the space, near an upper end thereof. In other embodiments, the capture means, for example, pins, are horizontally spaced and are oriented to project vertically, from an upper end of the surrounding walls and/or from the upper end of a body of the device.

[09] According to various embodiments, the device may be electrically operated and further comprises an enclosure and a space with a door within the enclosure adapted to receive and keep the double structure isolated from the external environment.

[010] In several embodiments, the space with a door comprises, in an intermediate portion thereof, a fastening mechanism adapted to hold the double structure in a connection region between the squeezeable packaging and the baby feeding device.

[011] In several embodiments, the fastening mechanism comprises a first semicircular element projecting from a rear wall of the door space and a second semicircular element projecting from a door space and facing the first.

[012] In various embodiments, the electric deflation device comprises an air pump for inflating the inflatable baby feeding device, supplying it with a negative external pressure relative to a pressure in which the squeeze pack is situated, thereby deflating the squeeze pack under ambient pressure differential in which the squeeze pack is situated and the environment in which the baby feeding device is situated.

[013] In various embodiments, the electric emptying device comprises an electric motor coupled to the double frame to cause a respective movement between the double frame and a mechanical compression member configured to force the liquid from the squeeze pack into the baby feeding device.

[014] In several embodiments, the emptying mechanism comprises a compression member detachably connected to the double structure.

[015] In some embodiments, the compression member comprises a pair of rods, arranged together in a clamp-like configuration.

[016] In some embodiments, the pair of pincer-shaped rods are articulated, each near a proximal end of the same, to a common vertically movable limb.

[017] In some embodiments, the pair of pincer-like rods are articulated, each near a proximal end of the same, to a common rotating limb.

[018] In some embodiments, the common rotating member is configured to move vertically simultaneously with its rotational movement. In several embodiments, the electric emptying device further comprises an agitation element configured to maneuver the liquid contents of the squeeze pack, repeatedly deforming the squeeze pack from its outer side from one pack contour to another, thereby agitating the liquid contents within the pack.

[019] In some embodiments, the compression member of the emptying device comprises two belts structured together and configured to move away from each other in mirroring arcs (herein also referred to as "curves") when their longitudinal ends come closer together and join and become straight when the longitudinal ends of these are separated to the maximum.

[020] In some embodiments, the belts are connected, respectively, near their longitudinal ends to the respective vertically movable common members.

[021] In some embodiments, the belts are connected, respectively, near their longitudinal ends to the respective common rotating members.

[022] In some embodiments, the common rotating members are configured to rotate while moving vertically through a predetermined vertical extent.

[023] In some embodiments, the common rotating members are configured to rotate without changing their vertical position.

[024] In another category, the disclosed solutions include a cartridge with infant formula comprising (i) a structure; (ii) a flexible receptacle connected to the structure; (iii) a liquid discharge port communicating with the liquid in the flexible and removable receptacle connected to a corresponding liquid receiving port of an inflatable infant feeding container and a connecting means corresponding to a mutually adapted connecting means for holding the cartridge with the inflatable infant feeding container connected to the liquid discharge port.

[025] In yet another category, the disclosed solutions include a method for finalizing an infant feeding formula and introducing it into a disposable inflatable infant feeding container, the method comprising (i) providing a cartridge comprising a flexible receptacle partially filled with a powdered infant feeding formula; (ii) introducing a desired amount of water into the flexible receptacle and shaking the cartridge to dissolve the powder and mix it with the water; (iii) providing a liquid-tight connection between the liquid inlet port of the inflatable infant feeding container and a formula discharge outlet of the cartridge; (iv) providing a differential pressure between the flexible receptacle and the inflatable container such that a pressure inside the flexible receptacle is greater than a pressure inside the inflatable infant feeding container, thereby discharging the prepared formula from the flexible receptacle into the inflatable container; and (v) separating the inflatable container from the cartridge.

[026] In a first broad aspect of the first category of solutions, the disclosed subject matter is exemplified by embodiments of a device configured to receive pre-filled supply containers, to facilitate the compression of the supply container (and in some embodiments also to facilitate the agitation of the contained formula before squeezing the supply container), whereby a contained formula is transferred from the supply container to an infant feeding device.

[027] In a second broad aspect of the first category of solutions, the disclosed subject matter is exemplified by device embodiments that allow a user to position a squeezeable supply container in a filling position on the device and pour ingredients of an infant feeding formula (or a pre-prepared formula) into the supply container before applying a squeezing session to the prepared formula to transfer it from the supply container to the infant feeding device.

[028] With reference now to device embodiments according to both the aforementioned first and second broad aspects, the electric emptying device comprises a mechanical arrangement for holding a double structure comprising (i) a squeeze pack pre-filled with a liquid content and said supply container; and (ii) an inflatable container constituting said baby feeding device; the device further comprises an electrically operated emptying mechanism for emptying the squeeze pack, thereby evacuating the liquid content into the inflatable container.

[029] With reference now to the device modalities according to the aforementioned first broad aspect, the device further comprises an enclosure and a door space within the enclosure adapted to receive and keep the double structure isolated from the external environment.

[030] Even though the squeeze pack may contain a limited predetermined volume, in several embodiments, the opening space is sized to accommodate twice the volume: in an upper part thereof, a squeeze pack filled with the maximum predetermined volume of liquid content, and in a lower part thereof, an inflatable container filled with said predetermined volume. In such embodiments, the total volume of the opening space is therefore at least twice the volume to be transferred from the disposable squeeze pack to the inflatable container.

[031] In preferred embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, the space with entrances has a suspension mechanism to maintain the double structure in a vertical orientation with the squeeze package upwards and the inflatable container downwards. In several embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, the suspension mechanism comprises two horizontally oriented pins spaced apart that project into the door space near an upper end thereof. The squeeze package to be used in such embodiments shall be fitted with a pair of spaced openings that match the pins and allow the package to be suspended by the pins. The package can thus be hung by the pins, mounting it within the door space, with the pins inserted, respectively, through the openings.

[032] In several preferred embodiments, the door space comprises, in an intermediate portion thereof, a fastening mechanism adapted to hold the double structure in a connection region between the squeezeable disposable packaging and the baby feeding device. In several preferred embodiments of the present invention, the fastening mechanism comprises a first semicircular element projecting from a rear wall of the door space and a second semicircular element projecting from a door space, the two semicircular elements being arranged so that when a double structure having a cylindrical connection region between the squeezeable disposable packaging and the baby feeding device is suspended by a support located near the top of the door space, said cylindrical connection region is located adjacent to the first semicircular element and, once the door is closed, is firmly held and locked by the first and second semicircular elements, which together form a retaining ring that fits snugly around the cylindrical connection region of the double structure.

[033] In embodiments of the present invention that make use of pneumatic pressure to squeeze the disposable squeeze packaging or of a vacuum pump to inflate the inflatable baby feeding device (providing it with an external negative pressure), the first and second semicircular elements are created by semicircular recesses formed on the front edges of the respective horizontal barrier portions, one of which projects from a rear wall of the door space and a second of which projects from the door, so that when the door is closed and a double structure is inside the door space position, the edges of the horizontal barrier portions meet and combine to form a sealed horizontal barrier between an upper region of the door space (where the disposable squeeze packaging is located) and a lower region of the door space (where the inflatable baby feeding device is located), thus minimizing fluid passage between the upper and lower regions of the door space. In these embodiments, the semicircular recesses together form a circular gate through the horizontal barrier, whose opposite edges fit perfectly around the cylindrical connection region of the double structure once the gate is closed. Since the gate in the barrier is the only fluid communication path between the upper and lower regions of the gated space, when filled with the cylindrical connection region of the double structure, fluid external to the double structure cannot flow freely between the upper and lower regions of the gated space.

[034] In the context of the present invention, the aforementioned upper and lower regions of the door space will be referred to, respectively, as the upper and lower compartments of the door space.

[035] In several embodiments of the present invention, the inflatable container is equipped with a connecting piece detachably connected to a corresponding connecting piece provided by the squeeze packaging. Once the two connecting pieces are connected, the squeeze packaging and the inflatable container become mechanically secure against unintentional separation, and liquid communication is provided through the connector between the squeeze packaging and the inflatable container. The connecting piece of the inflatable container (for example, of the type disclosed in Figure 2 of document W02006129302) is provided with a backflow prevention device, a valve that allows fluids to flow from the squeeze packaging to the inflatable container but prevents backflow of fluids from the inflatable container to the squeeze packaging (or to the outside, if the squeeze packaging is detached). The connecting piece of the squeeze pack may include a pressure valve to eliminate leakage of the liquid from the pack under internal or external pressures to which it is or may be exposed, before the squeeze pack is connected to the inflatable container for filling. In several embodiments, the squeeze pack is supplied together with, and is connected by mutual connecting pieces to, the inflatable container and is therefore connected by the inflatable container's valve, to be detached only after the liquid contents have been squeezed into the inflatable container. The squeeze pack, therefore, does not need to have its own valve.

[036] In several embodiments of the present invention, the electric emptying device is provided with an electric air pump adapted to provide a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure to the upper compartment of the door space. The supply of pressure will squeeze the squeezeable packaging, forcing the liquid contents to flow through the connection to the inflatable container, which is located in the lower compartment, where the pressure is equal to or less than atmospheric pressure. In several embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, the electric emptying device is provided with an electric vacuum pump adapted to provide a negative pressure (a pressure less than atmospheric pressure) to the lower compartment of the enclosed space. The provision of vacuum will suck the liquid contents from the squeezeable packaging and force it to flow through the connection to the inflatable container, which is in the lower compartment, where the pressure is lower than the pressure in the upper compartment. In preferred embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, the electric deflation device is provided with an electric pump adapted to suck air from the lower compartment and deliver it to the upper compartment, thus providing negative pressure (a pressure lower than atmospheric pressure) to the lower compartment of the doored space, and simultaneously providing a pressure higher than atmospheric pressure to the upper compartment. The pressure difference between the upper and lower compartments will force the liquid contents of the squeeze pack into the inflatable container through the connection.

[037] In preferred embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, pump activation is permitted only when the orifice space is closed. In these embodiments, the device is provided with a normally open door switch that remains open whenever the door is opened, thus switching off the electrical power to the pump. As soon as the door is closed, it turns on the switch and pump activation is enabled.

[038] For design reasons, the switch can be mechanical (e.g., actuated by a push button), or electronic, such as optically actuated (recognizing the state of the gate by optical means, for example, such as a photodetector), magnetically actuated, capacitance- or inductance-activated.

[039] In several embodiments of the present invention, the squeeze pack is made from the same piece of material from which the inflatable container is made and constitutes an extension of the inflatable container until the inflatable container is separated from the squeeze pack by a liquid sealing mechanism, thereby disconnecting the liquid from communication with the squeeze pack.

[040] The inflatable container has an expandable outer wall designed to inflate by introducing a pressurized liquid into it from the squeeze pack.

[041] The aforementioned disconnection of liquid communication between the squeeze pack and the inflatable container occurs after the inflatable container has been inflated by the introduction of liquid squeezed from the squeeze pack.

[042] In various embodiments, the liquid sealing mechanism comprises a squeezing element configured to seal the inflatable container, exerting pressure on the outer sides of the expandable wall, thus holding together its internally facing surfaces, leaving no space for liquid between the internally facing surfaces of the expandable wall, in its regions compressed by the squeezer.

[043] In some embodiments, the external squeezer is movable around the extendable wall while closing any gaps between, so that the liquid contained between the surfaces facing the inside of the extendable wall is forced out of the closing gaps.

[044] In some embodiments, the squeezer is configured to be moved along the extensible wall, from a distal end of the squeeze pack part of the double frame, further from the inflatable container part, to a proximal end of the squeeze pack part of the double frame, closer to the inflatable container part.

[045] In some embodiments, the squeezer is configured to hold a distal end of the squeeze pack portion of the double structure, further away from the inflatable container portion, thus allowing the squeeze pack to be rolled around the squeezer, from its distal end to a proximal end closer to the inflatable container portion.

[046] By the relative movement between the squeezer (either by displacement or rolling) and the squeeze pack, in a direction from the squeeze pack part of the double structure towards the inflatable container part of the same, the liquid contained in the squeeze pack is forced out of the closing gaps towards the inflatable container and the still spaced portions of the squeeze pack wall, thus increasing the gap between the liquid-containing portions of the extensible wall, respectively. Once the inflatable container is satisfactorily inflated, for example, acquires a spherical shape, the movement of the squeezer can be stopped.

[047] In a variety of embodiments, the squeezeable portion of the double structure remains an excess near the squeezer and can be cut off, for example, with scissors. In several embodiments, the squeezer may comprise a built-in cutting mechanism that facilitates the removal of the empty squeezeable portion of the double structure once the inflatable container is satisfactorily inflated.

[048] In some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter that makes use of a movable closure to squeeze the liquid from the squeezable disposable packaging and force it into the inflatable container portion, the electrically operated emptying mechanism comprises an electric motor coupled to the double frame to cause a corresponding movement between the double frame and a mechanical compression member configured to force the liquid from the squeezable packaging into the baby feeding device. In several embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, the compression member connected to the double frame is removable and can be removed from the device to keep the baby feeding container sealed once separated from the squeezable packaging.

[049] With reference now to the embodiments of the device according to the aforementioned second broad aspect, the electric emptying device comprises a positioning mechanism for stabilizing the device in a vertical orientation on an external surface, a suspension mechanism connected to the positioning mechanism and configured to receive and maintain a double structure in a vertical orientation, wherein the double structure comprises (i) a squeezeable package to be filled with liquid content to subsequently constitute said supply container; and (ii) an inflatable container that constitutes said baby feeding device, wherein said retention is with the squeezeable package upwards and the inflatable container downwards, the device further comprises an electrically operated emptying mechanism for squeezing the squeezeable package, thereby delivering its liquid content to the inflatable container.

[050] In several embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, the suspension mechanism comprises a plurality (preferably between three and four) of spaced pins projecting upwards from or near an upper end of the device. The squeeze pack to be used in such embodiments will be fitted with a corresponding plurality of spaced openings matching the pins and allowing the pack to be suspended on the pins with an upper end of the pack open to receive the powdered feeding formula and liquid baby feeding ingredients.

[051] In several preferred embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, the positioning mechanism comprises, in an intermediate portion thereof, a fastening mechanism adapted to hold the double structure in a connection region between the squeezeable disposable packaging and the baby feeding device, or a lid mechanism to prevent the inflatable container from moving upwards when squeezing is performed. In several preferred embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, the lid mechanism comprises a horizontally oriented U-shaped or C-shaped member sufficiently spaced to receive the cylindrical connection region between the squeezeable packaging and the baby feeding device, but sufficiently narrow so as not to allow the passage of the baby feeding device.

[052] As mentioned in relation to the aforementioned first broad aspect, in various embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, the inflatable container is fitted with a connecting piece that is removablely connected to a corresponding connecting piece which is provided by the squeeze pack. Once the two connecting pieces are connected, the squeeze pack and the inflatable container become mechanically protected against unintentional separation (e.g., by providing the connector with a mechanical device, for example, of the type that requires pushing and twisting for separation). Thus, a certain upward pulling force exerted on the squeeze pack will not result in the separation of the connecting pieces.

[053] In several embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, the squeeze pack is made of the same piece of material from which the inflatable container is made and constitutes an extension of the inflatable container until the inflatable container is separated from the squeeze pack by a liquid-sealing mechanism, thereby disconnecting the liquid from communication with the squeeze pack. In such embodiment, the positioning structure comprises a fastening mechanism adapted to hold the inflatable container from moving upwards when a traction force is exerted on it by the squeeze pack portion.

[054] The inflatable container has an extensible outer wall configured to inflate by introducing a pressurized liquid into it from the squeeze pack.

[055] The aforementioned disconnection of liquid communication between the squeeze pack and the inflatable container occurs after the inflatable container has been inflated by the introduction of liquid squeezed from the squeeze pack.

[056] In various embodiments, the liquid sealing mechanism comprises a squeezing element configured to seal the inflatable container by exerting pressure on the outer sides of the expandable wall, thereby holding together its internally facing surfaces, leaving no space for liquid between the internally facing surfaces of the expandable wall, in its regions compressed by the squeezer.

[057] In some embodiments, the external squeezer is movable around the extendable wall pressing together under its opposite sides to close any gaps between, so that the liquid contained between the internally facing surfaces of the extendable wall is forced out of the closing gaps.

[058] In some embodiments, the squeezer is configured to be moved along the extensible wall, from a distal end of the squeeze pack part of the double frame, further from the inflatable container part, to a proximal end of the squeeze pack part of the double frame, closer to the inflatable container part.

[059] In some embodiments, the squeezer is configured to hold a distal end of the squeeze pack portion of the double structure, further away from the inflatable container portion, thus allowing the squeeze pack to be rolled around the squeezer, from its distal end to a proximal end closer to the inflatable container portion.

[060] In the context of the disclosed subject matter, the term movement, when referring to the juicer, refers to the movement of the juicer towards the inflatable container, whether by displacement or rolling, as required by the type of embodiment of a juicer of interest.

[061] By moving the squeezer in the direction of the squeeze pack part of the double structure towards the inflatable part of the same, the liquid contained in the squeeze pack is forced out of the closing gaps towards the inflatable part and the still spaced wall portions of the squeeze pack, thus increasing the gap between the liquid-containing portions of the extensible wall, respectively. Once the inflatable container is satisfactorily inflated, for example, acquires a spherical shape, the movement of the clamp can be stopped.

[062] In a variety of embodiments, the squeezeable portion of the double structure remains with an excess near the fastener and can be cut, for example, with scissors. In several embodiments, the fastener comprises a built-in cutting mechanism that facilitates the removal of the empty squeezeable portion of the double structure once the inflatable container is satisfactorily inflated.

[063] In embodiments of the disclosed subject matter that make use of a movable closure to squeeze liquid from the squeezable disposable packaging and force it into the inflatable container portion, the electrically operated emptying mechanism comprises an electric motor coupled to the double frame to cause a corresponding movement between the double frame and a mechanical compression member configured to force the liquid from the squeezable packaging into the baby feeding device. In several embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, the compression member connected to the double frame is removable and can be removed from the device to keep the baby feeding container sealed once separated from the squeezable packaging.

[064] In a third broad aspect, the disclosed subject matter relates to a baby formula cartridge comprising (i) a frame (the frame connected to an external matching support is removable which constitutes a member of a dispensing device according to a first aspect of the disclosed subject matter); (ii) a flexible receptacle connected to the frame; (iii) a valve liquid discharge port for communicating the liquid with the flexible receptacle connectable to a corresponding liquid receiving port of an inflatable baby feeding container and through the connection matching with a mutually adapted connecting means for holding the cartridge in the inflatable baby feeding container connected to its liquid discharge port.

[065] In a fourth broad aspect, the disclosed subject matter relates to a method for finalizing an infant feeding formula and introducing it into a disposable inflatable infant feeding container, the method comprising (i) providing a cartridge comprising a flexible receptacle partially filled with an infant feeding formula in powder form; (ii) introducing a desired amount of water into the flexible receptacle and shaking the cartridge to dissolve the powder and mix it with the water; (iii) providing a liquid-tight connection between a liquid receiving port of the inflatable infant feeding container and a formula discharge port of the cartridge; (iv) providing a pressure difference between the pressure inside the flexible receptacle and the pressure inside the inflatable container, thereby discharging the prepared formula from the flexible receptacle into the inflatable container; and (v) separating the inflatable container from the cartridge.

[066] A fifth broad aspect of the disclosed subject matter is embodiments of the liquid receiving port for inflatable baby feeding containers to be filled by the emptying device disclosed as part of said first and second broad aspects, the liquid receiving port comprises a fastening mechanism to secure one end of an expandable container of the inflatable baby feeding container around a body of the liquid receiving port, at least one opening in a wall of said body and a diaphragm disposed in front of at least one opening, whereby the pressure of the liquid from inside the expandable container pushes the diaphragm towards the wall, thus sealing the opening by the diaphragm, whereby the pressure of the liquid from outside the expandable container pushes the diaphragm away from the wall, thus creating a temporal gap between the wall and the diaphragm, through which the liquid from the outside can escape into the expandable container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[067] The subject now disclosed will be further explained by the attached figures. With specific reference now to the figures in detail, it is emphasized that the particulars shown are by way of example and for the purpose of illustrative discussion of one or more preferred embodiments of the subject now disclosed and are presented in order to provide what is considered the most useful and easily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the subject disclosed.

[068] Figure 1 illustrates an open-state view of a draining device for transferring a liquid from a supply container to a baby feeding device, according to a first embodiment of the subject matter presently disclosed.

[069] Figure 1A illustrates a schematic view of an electrical mechanism of the device in Figure 1.

[070] Figure 2 illustrates the device shown in Figure 1 in a closed state view.

[071] Figure 3 illustrates a double structure comprising a squeezeable package and an inflatable baby feeding container configured for hands-free transfer of liquid from the package to the container by means of the device embodiment of Figure 1.

[072] Figure 4 illustrates the double structure of Figure 3 in position within the device of Figure 1, at the end of the hands-free transfer process.

[073] Figure 5 illustrates an electric emptying device for hands-free transfer of a liquid from a supply container to a baby feeding device, according to a second embodiment of the disclosed subject matter. A double structure comprising a squeezeable container and an inflatable baby feeding container is shown in position on the device.

[074] Figure 5A illustrates a perspective view of the manually operated emptying device for transferring a liquid from a supply container to a baby feeding device, according to a third embodiment of the disclosed subject matter.

[075] Figure 5B illustrates an enlarged view of the connecting swivel region in the embodiment illustrated in Figure 5B, with both fixing rods engaged and held together by the connecting wheel.

[076] Figure 5C illustrates a side view of the embodiment illustrated in Figure 5B.

[077] Figure 5D illustrates a front view of the embodiment illustrated in Figure 5B.

[078] Figure 5E illustrates a top view of the embodiment illustrated in Figure 5B.

[079] Figure 5F illustrates an electric emptying device for transferring a liquid from a supply container to a baby feeding device, according to a fourth embodiment of the disclosed subject matter.

[080] Figure 5G illustrates an electric emptying device for transferring a liquid from a supply container to a baby feeding device, according to a fifth embodiment of the disclosed subject matter.

[081] Figure 5H illustrates an electric emptying device for transferring a liquid from a supply container to a baby feeding device, according to a sixth embodiment of the disclosed subject matter.

[082] Figure 5I illustrates an electric emptying device for transferring a liquid from a supply container to a baby feeding device, according to a seventh embodiment of the disclosed subject matter.

[083] Figure 5J illustrates an electric emptying device for transferring a liquid from a supply container to a baby feeding device, according to an eighth embodiment of the disclosed subject matter.

[084] Figure 5K illustrates a perspective view of the manually operated emptying device for transferring a liquid from a supply container to a baby feeding device, according to a ninth embodiment of the disclosed subject matter.

[085] Figure 5L illustrates a perspective view of a body of the emptying device illustrated by Figure 5K, with the moving parts of the device removed to provide an unobstructed view of the body structure.

[086] Figure 6A illustrates a vertical cross-section of a liquid receiving port of a baby feeding device that constitutes the inflatable container part of the double structure according to various embodiments of the subject matter presently disclosed.

[087] Figure 6B illustrates an isometric view of the liquid receiving door illustrated by Figure 6A.

[088] Figure 6C illustrates a vertical cross-section of the liquid receiving port of Figure 6A mounted on an exemplary embodiment of the inflatable container according to the subject matter presently disclosed.

[089] Figure 7A illustrates in an exploded vertical cross-sectional view three members of another embodiment of a liquid receiving port of a baby feeding device that constitutes the inflatable container part of the double structure according to various embodiments of the subject matter presently disclosed.

[090] Figure 7B illustrates in isometric view the retaining element of the liquid receiving port valve illustrated by figure 7A.

[091] Figure 7C illustrates the isometric view of the liquid receiving door illustrated by Figure 7A with its members assembled together.

[092] Figures 7D and 7E illustrate, respectively, two vertical cross-sectional views of the liquid receiving port illustrated by Figure 7A, with its members assembled together; the two views differ in the operational state of the valve membrane member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[093] It will be evident to those skilled in the art that the subject matter disclosed is not limited to the details of the previous illustrative embodiment and that the subject matter presently disclosed can be incorporated in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof. The present embodiment should therefore be regarded in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the subject matter disclosed being indicated by the appended claims, rather than the previous description, and all changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalence of the claims are therefore intended to be encompassed herein.

[094] Figures 1 and 2 illustrate, in an open state (Figure 1) and in a closed state (Figure 2), an electric emptying device 100 for hands-free transfer of a liquid from a supply container to a baby feeding device according to a preferred embodiment of the disclosed subject.

[095] The electric emptying device comprises an enclosure 101b and 101c, a door space (103b; 103c; 104b; 104c) within the enclosure, adapted to receive and hold a double structure (300, shown in Figure 3) comprising (i) a squeeze pack 301 pre-filled with a liquid content and constituting said supply container; and (ii) an inflatable container 311 constituting said baby feeding device; and an electrically operated emptying mechanism (for example, the electric mechanism 130 shown in Figure 1A, in cooperation with the mechanical arrangements illustrated in Figure 1) for squeezing the squeeze pack, thereby supplying its liquid content to the inflatable container.

[096] In the illustrated embodiment, the electric draining device 100 comprises a main body 101b having a base piece 102 for supporting the device on a horizontal surface, such as a table. A door 101c is hinged to the main body 101b by a pair of joints 115 connected to the door 101c near an upper end thereof and hinged to the main body 101b each within a respective hinged capsule 113 formed near an upper end of the main body 101b. The joints are sized and configured so that when the door 101c is almost fully open, it remains in its open position (e.g., by the gravitational force acting on its weight) without requiring the user to hold it. The user can then suspend the double structure shown in Figure 3 by the horizontal pins 117 and then close the door.

[097] Even though the squeeze pack 301 may contain a limited predetermined volume, the door space is sized to accommodate twice that volume: in an upper portion of the same 103b and 103c, a squeeze pack 301 filled with the maximum predetermined volume of liquid content, and in a lower portion thereof, an inflatable container 311 filled with said predetermined volume. The total volume of the door space is therefore at least twice the volume to be transferred from the disposable squeeze pack 301 to the inflatable container 311.

[098] In preferred embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, the door space has a suspension mechanism to maintain the double structure in a vertical orientation with the squeeze pack upwards and the inflatable container downwards. In several embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, such as that illustrated herein, the suspension mechanism comprises two horizontally spaced oriented pins 117 projecting into the door space 103b near an upper end thereof. The squeeze pack 301 to be used in such embodiments will be fitted with a pair of spaced openings 304 matching the pins 117 and allowing the pack to be suspended on the pins. The pack can therefore be hung on the pins mounted within the door space, with the pins 117 inserted respectively through the openings 304.

[099] In several preferred embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, the door space comprises, in an intermediate portion thereof, a fastening mechanism adapted for securing the double structure 300 in a connection region between the squeeze disposable packaging 301 and the baby feeding device 311. In several preferred embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, the fastening mechanism comprises a first semicircular element 108b projecting from a rear wall 101b of the door space and a second semicircular element 108c projecting from a door 101c of the door space, the two semicircular elements 108b and 108c being arranged so that when a double structure 300 having a cylindrical connection region 305 between the squeeze disposable packaging 301 and the baby feeding device 311 is suspended by a support 117 located near the top of the door space, said cylindrical connection region 305 is located adjacent to first semicircular element 108b, and, once the door 101c is closed, it is trapped between and firmly gripped by the first and second semicircular elements 108b and 108c, which together form a ring like a fastener that fits snugly around the cylindrical connection region 305 of the double structure 300.

[0100] The electric draining device comprises an electric mechanism such as the mechanism 130 shown in Figure 1A. In the illustrated embodiment, the mechanism 130 is concealed within a compartment formed in the main body 101b, behind a wall portion 114. A button 120 is located on the wall portion 114 and is connected by a line 121 to a device controller 133. When the door 101c is closed, the button 120 is actuated by an actuator 120c formed near the top of the door 101c, operable by a user. Once pressed by a user, and on the condition that a door sensor 140 (which may be located, for example, inside the capsule joint 113) communicates to the controller 133 that the door 101c is closed, the controller 133 connects the battery B to power the electric air pressure pump 131. The pumped air then flows from the pump to the upper space 103b and 103c, through the air tube 131, thus increasing the air pressure in the upper compartment 103b and 103c of the electric emptying device. The space 103b and 103c is sealed from the external atmosphere by means of upper, lower and side walls which constitute part of the main body 101b and the door 101c, and by means of mirror gaskets 105b and 105c (for example, formed of rubber, silicon or similar) which engage when the door 101c is closed.

[0101] The door 101c and the body 101b are preferably provided with a means (mechanical or magnetic) for pressing and holding the door firmly closed. Magnetic elements may be concealed within the opposite edges of the body and the door to magnetically interact with each other to keep the door firmly closed. The joints 105b and 105c also fit around the cylindrical neck 305 of the squeeze pack 301. A horizontal wall 106b and 106c divides the door space into an upper space 105b 105c and a lower space 104b 104c. When the gate 101c is closed and the cylindrical neck 305 of the squeeze pack is held between the first and second semicircular elements 108b and 108c, which are formed, respectively, as semicircular indentations in the horizontal wall parts 106b and 106c.

[0102] The ergonomically designed recess 111 is provided in the base part 102 of the main body 101b to facilitate access to an ergonomic handle 112 formed near the bottom of the door 101c, by which the door 101c can be opened and lifted.

[0103] The door 101c is preferably provided with a transparent front panel 110, through which a user can supervise the operation of the device and stop the operation once a desired quantity of liquid has been transferred to the inflatable container. This can be indicated, for example, by a satisfactory volume of the inflatable container.

[0104] In several embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, the electrical operation of the device can be switched off by pressing the activation button 120c a second time. In other embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, the electrical operation of the device can be switched off by opening the door 101c. The opening is communicated to the controller by the door sensor 140.

[0105] Figure 3 illustrates a double structure 300 comprising a squeeze packaging structure 301 and an inflatable baby feeding container 311 configured for hands-free transfer of liquid from a squeeze packaging 302 (of the squeeze packaging structure 301) to the container 311 by means of the device embodiment of Figure 1. The squeeze packaging structure 301 may be supplied to the user as a cartridge comprising a rigid or semi-rigid structure 303 and a flexible packaging 302 which may be formed of nylon, aluminum foil or the like. The flexible packaging 302 (which constitutes a receptacle for the baby feeding formula) fuses with the rigid or semi-rigid cylindrical neck 305. Inside the cylindrical neck 305, there is a normally closed valve that opens when the neck is connected (for example, by mutual threading, or by any other acceptable accessory with which the packaging and the baby feeding device are mutually equipped) to a liquid port (not shown here, for example, for details of the liquid port, see for example W02006129302 Figure 2) of the inflatable baby feeding device 311, and allows liquid communication between the packaging 302 and an inflatable balloon-type member 312 of the baby feeding device 311.

[0106] The structure 303 of the squeeze pack 301 is provided with a pair of openings 304, in combination with the pair of horizontal pins 117 of the electric emptying device, whereby the double structure 300 can be positioned within the space with door 103b 104b 103c 104c, suspended on the pins 117.

[0107] In the illustrated embodiment, the inflatable member 312 of the baby feeding device is protected by semi-rigid plastic frame members 314 and 315, the plastic frame member 314 is connected to and provides mechanical support to a baby feeding nozzle 313 of the baby feeding device. The plastic frame member 315 provides mechanical support for the liquid port (hidden in the drawing, inside the semi-rigid neck 305) to which the squeeze pack 301 is detachably connected.

[0108] Figure 4 illustrates the double structure 300 of Figure 3 in position within the device of Figure 1, in a typical view at the end of the hands-free transfer process. The door 101c has a transparent front panel, allowing a direct view of the device when closed. Inside the device, the double structure 300 is suspended on the horizontal pins 117. The pins 317 penetrate respectively through the openings 304 formed in the structure 303 of the squeeze pack 301, and the cylindrical neck 305 of the double structure is firmly gripped by the semicircular indentations 108b and 108c formed in the horizontal wall parts 106b and 106c. The inflatable baby feeding device 111 is suspended from the cylindrical neck 305 to which its liquid port is detachably connected. The inflatable baby feeding device 311 is located inside the lower compartment 104b and 104c of the electric deflation device, isolated from the air contained by the upper compartment 103b and 103c.

[0109] Figure 4 illustrates the flexible receptacle 302 after completion of the hands-free liquid transfer, when it is now empty of liquid (for comparison, see its full liquid view, shown in Figure 3). The baby feeding device 311 is shown with the balloon-shaped element 312 in its inflated state, filled with liquid that has been forced in from the packaging 302 through the cylindrical neck 305 and through the liquid port, by means of the upper air pressure created in the upper space 103b and 103c during the liquid transfer process.

[0110] After the liquid transfer process is complete, a user can lift the open door 101c by pulling the hand handle 112, then remove the double structure 300 from the horizontal pins 117 and finally separate the baby feeding device 311 from the cylindrical neck 305 from the squeeze pack 301 and handle it to feed a baby.

[0111] Figure 5 illustrates an electric emptying device 200 for hands-free transfer of a liquid from a supply container 401 to a baby feeding device 311, according to a preferred embodiment of the second broad aspect of the disclosed subject. A double structure 400, comprising a squeeze pack 402 and an inflatable baby feeding container 312, is shown in position on the device 200. The device comprises a base part 406 constituting a positioning mechanism and an upper part 442 having a door 420 with four upward-oriented pins 403 spaced around the door and constituting a suspension mechanism. The suspension mechanism is connected and mechanically supported by the positioning mechanism 406 (e.g., through vertical wall members 404 and 405) and is configured to receive and maintain the double structure 400 in a vertical orientation, wherein the double structure 400 comprises (i) a squeezeable container 402 to be filled with a liquid content, and once filled constituting said supply container; and (ii) an inflatable container 312 constituting (with the aid of the nozzle 313 and the structure members 314 and 315) said baby feeding device, wherein said support is with the squeezeable container 402 upwards and the inflatable container 312 downwards, the device further comprising an electrically operated emptying mechanism to squeeze the squeezeable container 402, thereby distributing its liquid content to the inflatable container.

[0112] The squeezeable packaging 402 comprises, at its upper end 401t, holes 403h, which in the illustrated embodiment are formed in a body of the packaging near its upper end 401t (and which in other embodiments may be formed in special straps extending from the squeezeable packaging), said holes being adapted for the insertion of pins, respectively, to suspend the packaging 402 on the pins 403 and to facilitate the introduction of water and powder of baby formula into the container through its open top 451. Once the formula is finished by a user (in some embodiments of the invention, an agitator is provided as part of the device mechanism, so in such embodiments the user only needs to pour the ingredients into the packaging 402 while the agitation is performed automatically), the user can turn on the electrically operated emptying mechanism (the actuating switch, parts and electrical circuits can be designed by those skilled in the art of household electrical devices with based on common knowledge and therefore not illustrated).

[0113] The electrically operated emptying mechanism for squeezing the squeeze pack 402 comprises a pair of bars (rods) 462 and 463 each articulated at a proximal end thereof to a common hinge 416, said pair of commonly articulated bars constituting a clamp-like mechanism. The articulation is formed in a recess in a rotating body 412 and is initially oriented vertically. The rotating body is connected to a toothed wheel 414 so that, after rotation of the toothed wheel, the rotating body also rotates. The toothed wheel 414 and the rotating body 412 are rotatably fixed to a cylindrical part 417, the cylindrical part being partially truncated so that a portion of the toothed wheel 417 is exposed and therefore coupleable to a vertically oriented toothed rod 432. As can be appreciated, once the truncated cylindrical part 417 moves downwards, the exposed portion of the toothed wheel 417 becomes engaged with the toothed rod 432 and rotates counterclockwise (for an observer facing the device from the front), in response to the linear downward motion of the cylindrical part 417.

[0114] Once a liquid formula has been introduced into the container 402, clamp-like rods 462 and 463 can be brought together to close the container 402 above the level of the liquid contents. The joining of the clamp-like rods can be done manually before switching on the device or automatically. To automatically bring the clamp-like rods together, the vertical wall 405 is provided with a slot 409, the slot is wide in its upper portion 407, gradually narrows in an intermediate portion of the same 408 and has a fixed width along its lower portion 409. At the beginning of the preparation, the truncated cylindrical part 417 is located near the top of the device and the clamp-like rods 462 and 463 thus emerge through the upper part 407 of the slot. The upper portion 407 of the slot is wide enough to allow the pincer-like rods to spread out, which in turn allows the package 402 to hang on the pins 403 fully implanted between the pincer-like rods 462 and 463. After activation of the compression process, the truncated cylindrical part 417 moves downwards due to the rotation of the threaded drive rod 419, bringing the pincer-like rods into the narrowing region 408 of the slot, thus gradually forcing the pincer-like rods together and in turn tightening and closing the package 402 over the contained baby formula. Further downward movement of the truncated cylinder 417 will bring the toothed wheel to engage with the toothed rod 432, thus rotating the rotating element 412 and the pincer-like rods. The rotation of the closed pincer-like rods forces the squeeze pack 402 to roll over the pincer-like rods 462 and 463, tearing the pack away from the pins 403. During the winding (rolling) of the pack 402 around the closed pincer-like rods, the upward movement of the baby feeding device 311 is prevented by the stopper 410 (in the illustrated embodiment, a horizontally oriented C-shaped stopper), which is connected to the vertical wall 405 near the lower end of the slot 409.

[0115] The rolling and winding of the packaging will thus seal the 402 packaging against spillage of the liquid formula through the top end of the packaging and will squeeze its contents, forcing it into the inflatable container.

[0116] The truncated cylindrical element 417 is fixed to a grooved cylindrical body 411 which is coupled to a threaded transmission rod 419. Rotation of the threaded transmission rod 419 clockwise or counterclockwise (as required by a current operating mode of the device) will be transformed into respective linear motion of the cylindrical body 411, downwards during a compression session, and upwards after compression, to return the device to its initial state, with the pincer-like rods emerging from the wide upper end 407 of the slot 409.

[0117] The cylindrical body 411 has a vertically extending lateral groove 411g (e.g., having a T-shaped lateral cross-section contour), combining with a vertical track 431 projecting from a vertical rod 430. The track and groove mechanism provides smooth linear motion of the cylindrical body 411 and the truncated cylindrical part 417, whereby the lateral rotation of the cylindrical part 417 due to the rotation of the threaded transmission rod 419 is avoided.

[0118] The toothed rod 432 is connected to the vertical rod 430 at a predetermined length adapted to cause a desired number of turns of the toothed wheel 414, to roll the package 402 and squeeze all its contents into the inflatable container 312.

[0119] The threaded transmission rod 419 is coupled to an electric motor (not shown) controlled by the respective electronics. In some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, the electronics include sensor means for automatic stopping of the motor at the intended upper and lower positions of the truncated cylinder 417 and for reversing the direction of rotation of the motor when the device is returned to the initial position, by user instruction, after a compression filling session has been performed.

[0120] The electric motor may be located near the bottom of the device or, for design reasons, in any desired location between walls 404 and 405.

[0121] In various embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, the electric emptying device further comprises an agitating member configured to maneuver the liquid contents of the squeezeable container by repeatedly deforming the container 402 from its outer side, thereby agitating its contents.

[0122] The agitation member may be, for example, an eccentric wheel coupled by respective transmission gears to a vertical toothed rod (similar to rod 432, or constituting an extension extending upwards from the top of the illustrated rod 432), so that before the pincer-like rods 462 and 463 begin to tighten and wrap the package 402 (i.e., before they are forced to join, they enter the slot 409 while moving downwards and), the eccentric strikes the wall of the package from the outside, causing the liquid inside the package to shake and become more uniformly mixed with a dissolving baby feed formula. The eccentric may be located immediately above the pincer-like rods 462 and 463 and may be configured to stop its downward motion and the resulting rotation immediately when the pincer-like rods join and close the package 402.

[0123] Figures 5A - 5E illustrate various views of a manually operated emptying device 250 for transferring a liquid from a supply container 401 to a baby feeding device 311, according to a preferred embodiment of the second broad aspect of the disclosed subject matter. A double structure 400 comprising a squeeze pack 402 and an inflatable baby feeding container 312 can be suspended on pins 499, similarly to the suspension of the double structure 400 in the device shown in Figure 5. The squeeze pack 402 comprises at its upper end, 401t, holes (or special straps with holes), adapted for insertion of pins, respectively, to suspend the container 402 on the pins 499, thus facilitating the introduction of water and powdered baby feeding formula into the pack through its open top 451.

[0124] The manually operated device 250 comprises surrounding walls 498a - 498d that create a space 496 for the double structure 400 to be suspended. The surrounding walls may (but not necessarily) terminate with a base wall 497 to close off the space 496 from the bottom.

[0125] Two opposite walls 498a and 498b of the four comprise through slots 495a and 495b, respectively, near an upper end of the walls. The through slots 495a and 495b use as rails a pair of fastening rods 494a and 494b, each of which crosses the opposite walls 498a and 498b through the through slots, therefore they can be displaced laterally from a respective end of the slots towards a middle portion thereof. In the middle part of each of the slots, there is a rotating connecting wheel 490, fastened in such a way that it can only rotate, but is immobile laterally along the slot. The connecting wheel 490 comprises mutually removable connecting means with each of the fastening rods. The releasable connecting means are configured to engage between the wheel and the fastening rods once the fastening rods are brought together by user action. When both fastening rods 494a and 494b are connected to the wheels 490, respectively, the rods become rotatable along with the rotation of the wheels 490 around the common axis of rotation of the wheels 490.

[0126] An example of a means of mutual connection between the wheels 490 and the fixing rods 494a and 494b, is a plurality (at least two) recesses 490r formed in the wheels, contoured to fit snugly around a tubular portion 494t of the fixing rod, gripping it against unintentional wheel separation.

[0127] Once a double structure 400 is suspended from the vertical pins 499, and after filling and finalizing the formula, joining the fastening rods 494a and 494b will cause the upper end of the squeezeable supply container 402 to be held between the fastening rods in relation to the area along the common axis of rotation between the wheels 490. In various embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, the fastening rods may each have a star-shaped cross-sectional design transverse to their longitudinal axis. The fastening rods 494a and 494b may then be rotated by a user, thereby rolling the squeezeable package 402 and reducing its volume. To make the fastening rods rotate, the user may use the flat ends 494e of the fastening rods as handles to facilitate rotation, while exerting a compressive force on the liquid contained in the squeezeable package. Lever rods 459 can be supplied perpendicular to the fastening rods, to keep the flat ends 494e in the vertical orientation when disengaged from the wheels 490, and to facilitate the rotation of the fastened complex (i.e., wheels 490, fastening rods 494a 494b and a squeeze pack 402 held by) by leveraging the manual force acting on the fastening rods 494a 494b to roll up the squeeze pack and winding it onto the fastening rods. Upward movement of the baby feeding device 311 due to rolling operation is disabled by a stopper (not shown in Figure 5B), such as the horizontal C-shaped stopper 410 in Figure 5A. The stopper can be connected to a surface of a surrounding vertical wall 498a (or any of 498b - 498d) facing space 496, near a middle portion of the wall height. Consequently, the laminating operation stretches the squeeze pack in the vertical direction which, in turn, tends to reduce its internal volume, thus forcing the liquid contained in the pack into the container 311. After squeezing, a predetermined amount of air will inevitably be trapped between the clamped end of the squeeze pack and the contained liquid. Due to the trapped air, the rolling of the clamping rods will result in a progressive reduction in the volume of the squeeze pack and an increase in the pressure of the trapped air, whereby the trapped air will be pressing against the liquid, allowing the user to force until the last remaining liquid from the squeeze pack into the container. The walls of the device may be made of a transparent material comprising a transparent region that allows inspection of the squeeze container, so that a user can see the emptying of the squeeze container and end the compression in a timely manner, i.e., before any amount of trapped air is forced into the baby feeding container.

[0128] Figure 5H illustrates the upper portion of an electric emptying device 850 for transferring a liquid from a supply container 401 (notes mentioned in the description of this Figure that are not included in the drawing refer to items noted by these notes in Figure 5 or other figures, and may be included in the embodiment and treated by a user in a manner similar to the embodiments in which they appear and are described), into a baby feeding device 311, according to another preferred embodiment of the second broad aspect of the disclosed subject matter. A double structure 400 comprising a squeeze pack 402 and an inflatable baby feeding container 312 may be suspended on pins 899, similarly to the suspension of the double structure 400 on pins 499 of the device shown in Figure 5A, or on pins 403 of the device shown in Figure 5. In various embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, means of capturing other than pins may be used to suspend the double structure. These means may include hooks, inclined spring clips, outward-folded edges or the like. The squeeze pack 402 comprises at an upper end thereof, 402t, holes 403h (or special straps with holes, said straps being fixed to the squeeze pack so that the holes in the strip are located near the upper end of the squeeze pack), adapted for insertion of pins, respectively, through the holes 403h to suspend the pack 402 on the pins 899, thereby facilitating the introduction of water and baby formula powder into the pack through its open top 451.

[0129] The electrical device 850 comprises surrounding walls 898 (for example, such as walls 498a - 498d of the embodiment in Figure 5), which create a space 896 within which the double structure 400 can be suspended. The walls 898 may (but not necessarily) terminate with a base wall (such as base wall 497 of Figure 5) to enclose the space 896 from the bottom. Near two opposite wall portions of the surrounding wall 898 (various numbers of walls may be implemented to produce the surrounding wall, as a matter of design and without departing from the scope of the disclosed subject, for example, a wall in circular or oval outline, six walls in hexagonal outline and the like), two threaded transmissions 819 are located, respectively, coupled to a compression mechanism to tighten the squeeze pack 402, to transfer its contents to the inflatable baby feeding device 311. The compression mechanism in the illustrated embodiment comprises a pair of straps 862 and 863 that function to close the pack 402 and to roll it up (replacing the similar functioning of the pincer-shaped rod mechanism of the embodiment of Figure 5, or the functioning of the fastening rods of the embodiment of Figure 5A). Belts 862 and 863 comprise holes 863h at opposite ends 863e thereof, whereby they are mounted together, with their ends 863e fixed to mirrored rotating elements 812 by means of pins 816. The rotation of the rotating elements 812 will occur during the up and down movements of the rotating elements, whenever the toothed wheels 812 are engaged in the toothed portion of the toothed rods 832 and the transmission rods 819 rotate and displace the truncated cylindrical parts 817 downwards (in which case the belts will rotate in a first direction around their common axis of rotation 877) or upwards (in which case the belts will rotate in a second direction around their common axis of rotation 877, opposite to said first direction of rotation). The up and down movements and rotation can also utilize means similar to those used in the embodiment of Figure 5, for example, a T-shaped groove and track. The coupling mechanism is configured to maintain both rotating elements 812 at similar heights from a lower part of the device during their up and down movements. For example, both rotating elements can be coupled to a common electric motor by similar or identical coupling mechanisms, whereby the motor affects the movements of both rotating elements 812 along the toothed rods simultaneously and in a mirrored manner. The mechanism is further configured to maintain the simultaneous rotation of both rotating elements around a common axis of rotation 877, in mirrored (cooperative) rotation directions.

[0130] The coupling between the rotating elements 812 and the toothed wheels 814 differs, however, from the coupling of the rotating body 412 of Figure 5 to the toothed rod, in that the rotating element 812 is also movable laterally towards its mirroring counterpart, to a predetermined extent, when the rotating elements are at or near their highest position relative to the rails. A mechanism is provided for the lateral mobility of each of the rotating elements 812 and is configured so that lateral movement occurs simultaneously by both rotating elements 812, in opposite directions along the common axis of rotation 877. In various embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, the mechanism for lateral mobility may include cords that pull the rotating elements laterally after winding the cords onto a rotating shaft, for example, the shaft of a common electric motor. The mechanism for lateral mobility may be coupled to the same electric motor that provides the rotating elements with their vertical and rotational movements. Since the lateral movement of both occurs in opposite directions (due to the mirroring configuration), both rotating elements can move closer to or further away from each other when lateral movement occurs. In various embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, the lateral mobility of each of the rotating elements 812 is opposed by a polarizing force. In various embodiments, the polarizing force can be generated by a compressible spring(s), magnetic attraction or repulsion, and the like. In the illustrated embodiment, the belts 862 and 863 are elastic and tend to maintain linearity. Consequently, when the opposite ends 863e of the belts 862 and 863 are forced closer together, they temporarily deform and each take on a curved contour, as exemplified by Figure 5G. The curved contour allows a bag 402 to be suspended between the belts with its upper end widely open. A polarizing force BF resulting from the deformation of the belts acts bilaterally as indicated by the arrow marked BF, tending to return the belts to linearity. Returning belts 862 and 863 to linearity will close the package 402 between them, causing its open end to be trapped between the belts.

[0131] In the illustrated embodiment, the lateral movement of the rotating elements 812 towards each other is achieved by a pair of curved rails 832c extending diagonally from the toothed rods 832. In the illustrated embodiment, the rotating elements 812 are telescopically coupled to the toothed wheels 814 by means of a rod 813 projecting from the rear end 812r of each of the rotating elements 812, respectively, into a recess 815r extending laterally into the extension 815 of the respective toothed wheel 814. The track 832c is configured to guide the rear end 812r of the rotating element 812 away from the toothed wheel when the truncated cylindrical part 817 moves (after rotation of the threaded transmission rod 819) upwards in the region above the upper end of the toothed rod region. 832. In this region, the toothed wheels do not rotate (due to being disengaged from the teeth of the toothed rods), and the rear end 812r of each of the rotating elements is pushed by the curved track 832c away from the toothed wheel and against the polarizing force BF, pushing the ends 863e of the belts 862 and 863 towards the center of the space 896, whereby the belts finally take their curved position as in Figure 5G, upon reaching their highest location above the bottom of the device. Figure 5F illustrates the position of the rotating element 812 relative to the curved track 832c and the toothed wheel 814, when the rotating element 812 is in its highest position. In this position, the rotating element 812 is laterally away from the toothed wheel 814, compared to its position in Figure 5H, and the rod 813 is partially withdrawn from the recess 815r. The rod 813 and the recess 815r are configured to have no rotational symmetry about the axis 877 (for example, they may have a rectangular cross-section transverse to the axis of rotation 877). Consequently, the rotation of the gear wheel, when meshed with the teeth of the toothed rod 819, is transmitted to the rotating element 812.

[0132] The toothed region and the telescopic mechanism 813 and 815r are mutually configured so that the belts 862 and 863 are vertical and the pins 816 are oriented horizontally, whenever the toothed wheels 814 are disengaged with the toothed rods 832 during the vertical movement of the cylindrical bodies. Figure 5H illustrates the device immediately after securing the package 402 by the straps 862 and 863, which is immediately before the toothed wheels 814 begin to rotate upon engaging with the toothed region of the toothed rods during the downward movement of the truncated cylindrical element 814. The rotation of the toothed wheels will result in the package 402 being pulled away from the pins 899, wrapping around the straps 862 and 863, thus becoming squeezed to empty and transfer the liquid contents 402f to the inflatable baby feeding device 311.

[0133] Figure 51 illustrates the upper portion of an electric emptying device 550 for transferring a liquid from a supply container 401 (notes mentioned in the description of this Figure that are not included in the drawing refer to items noted by those notes in Figure 5 or other Figures, and may be included in the embodiment and treated by a user in a manner similar to the embodiments in which they appear and are described), into a baby feeding device 311, according to yet another preferred embodiment of the second broad aspect of the disclosed subject matter. Device 550 differs from device 850, generally in that the axis of rotation 577 of belts 862 and 863 is stationary in the vertical direction in device 550. Consequently, device 550 does not include the mechanisms involved with the vertical movement of belts 862 and 863, such as drive rods 819, toothed bars 832, diagonal portions thereof 832c, toothed wheels 814 and the truncated cylindrical part 817.

[0134] In place of these, the rotation of the rotating elements 812 and therefore of the belts 862 and 863 can be driven, for example, by an electric motor 522. The horizontal movement of the rotating elements 812 at opposite ends of the belts towards and away from each other can be achieved manually by a user, for example, by means of a hand lever (not shown), or electrically, for example, by a helical coupling 512h and 514 arranged between a rotating axis 522s of the motor and a common end of the belts (connected to the rotating element 812), provided at least at one common end of the belts. The helical coupling tube 512 allows the rotation of the rotating axis of the motor 522s to a predetermined number of rotations (according to the number of helices 512h), without rotating the rotating element 812 and therefore without rotating the belts.

[0135] At the beginning of an emptying session, the rotation of the shafts 522s causes the helical transmission tubes 512 to separate the rotating elements 812 (and therefore the opposite common ends of the belts 862 and 863), thus bringing the belts closer together, straightening them and closing the upper end of the squeeze pack 402. The rotation of the belts is enabled by further rotation of the shafts 522s, after the belts have already become straight, whereby the pack 402 is closed. The rotation of the belts occurs when the rotation of the helical transmission tubes 512 relative to the helical extractors 513 is completed since the belts 862 and 863 are straight, therefore not allowing a further increase in the separation between the rotating elements 812.

[0136] At this stage of operation, the container begins to be rolled around the rotating belts, so its internal volume 402f gradually decreases. Another consequence of the rolling of the packaging 402 after the rotation of the handles is that the baby feeding device 311 is gradually raised. This occurs because the device 550 does not have a stopper, like the stopper 410.

[0137] A restraining element 503 is provided beside and below the belts 862 and 863, to disable the baby feeding device 311 itself (as well as the liquid-filled portions 402f of the squeeze pack) from reaching the rotating belts, thus preventing unwanted winding of these around the handles. The restraining element 503 can be mounted on a spring-biased shaft 504, which keeps the restraining element extending in the same horizontal plane substantially parallel to the shaft 577, but allows it to rotate between the first and second extreme positions.

[0138] In the initial state, beginning before suspending the double structure on the pins 899, the belts 862 and 863 are arched (as shown in Figure 5G), the rotating elements 812 are closest to each other, and the restraining element 503 is held by the spring-loaded polarized shaft 504 with the end 503e of the restraining element 503 away from the plane of the drawing, so that an imaginary vertical plane in which the ends 503e and 503h of the restraining element are commonly situated forms an angle of at least 45 degrees with a vertical plane in which the rotation axis 577 is situated, constituting said first extreme position of the restraining element and facilitating the positioning of a double structure through the opening formed between the arched belts 862 and 863. Once the preparation of a liquid formula 402f is finalized within the squeeze pack 402, the transfer of the prepared formula to the The baby feeding container can be started by activating the motors 522. The rotation of the motor shafts 522s causes the rotation of the transmission tubes 512, which pull the rotating members 812 away from each other by the helical coupling 512h and 514, thus straightening the belts 862 and 863 and closing the squeeze pack 402. One of the rotating elements 812 may be provided with a disc such as the flange 512f, so that after the lateral movement of the respective rotating element, the flange 512f pushes against the lever 503h of the restraining element 503, thus rotating the restraining element until it reaches its second extreme position, with the vertical plane in which the restraining element is situated being parallel or nearly parallel to the axis of rotation 577.

[0139] The leaf spring 502 can be connected at one end to a wall (e.g., surrounding wall 898) of the device, so that a second end is in friction with a rotating element 812, to eliminate the rotation of the belts due to friction between the helical transmission tubes 512 and the extractors 513 when the helical transmission 512h and 514 perform the said predetermined number of turns.

[0140] The reverse rotation of the belts after the liquid transfer process is complete, to release the used squeeze pack 402 from the belts 862 and 863 and to return the belts to their initial position, prepared for a new liquid transfer session, can be achieved by activating the motors 522 in the reverse direction. In some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, the rotation of the motors 522 (and consequently of the transmission tubes 512) can be achieved in the first direction against a polarizing force, such as against the force of a spiral spring (not shown) connected at the first end thereof to a stationary point of the device and at the second end thereof to a rotating point with the shaft of the motor 522s, whereby the reverse rotation of the belts 562 and 563 to their initial position is automated by the force of the spring once the electrical power to the motors 522 is switched off after the liquid transfer process is complete.

[0141] Figure 5J illustrates the upper portion of an electric emptying device 580 for transferring a liquid from a supply container 401 (notes mentioned in the description of this Figure that are not included in the drawing refer to items noted by those notes in Figure 5 or in other figures, and may be included in the embodiment and treated by a user in a manner similar to the embodiments in which they appear and are described), into a baby feeding device 311, according to yet another preferred embodiment of the second broad aspect of the disclosed subject matter.

[0142] Device 580 differs from device 550, generally in that the handles 862 and 863 on device 580 are specially configured for manual operation by a user, both in their rotational function and in the lateral movements of their ends (whereas device 550 adopts a configuration that can be considered more suitable for operation by electric motor). The rotation of the rotating elements 812 and therefore of the handles 862 and 863 can be driven by the user's hand, for example, via the rotating handle 534, or for example, by the ratchet handle 546, by which the user can control the shaft levers 533 and 543, respectively. Each of the aforementioned handles represents a different variation of device 580. In a first variation of device 580, the ratchet handle 546 does not exist and the handles 534 are present at both opposite lateral ends of the device in a mirrored configuration. In a second variation of the device, the ratchet lever 546 and its axle lever 533 are absent, and the axle levers 543 are present at both opposite lateral ends of the device in a mirrored configuration, with the ratchet lever 546 bridging them, thus allowing simultaneous cooperative operation of the axle levers at both lateral ends of the device. A ratchet mechanism 537 having a direction selector is internally intermediate to the axle portions, between the axle end portion 531 and the axle portion 531, in a manner that allows the user to select the ratchet-enabled direction of rotation for each stage of operation of the device. The ratchet handle 546 passes freely through the lever 543, through a suitable opening located near the free end of the lever, thus allowing a user to pull the axles 531 laterally, away from each other. Discs 547 ensure that ratchet lever 546 slides out of levers 543.

[0143] The horizontal movement of the rotating elements 812 at opposite ends of the belts toward and away from each other can be achieved by pushing together or pulling the shafts 531 on either side of the device through tubular openings 530 located at opposite ends of the surrounding wall 898 of the device. The lateral movement of both shafts is in either of the directions indicated by the bidirectional arrow 599, depending on the operating stage of the device. In the illustrated position, the shafts 531 are the closest together, therefore the belts are in their arched state, as illustrated by Figure 5G.

[0144] The tubular openings 530 are of non-circular cross-section in a vertical plane perpendicular to the surface of the drawing, for example, a square cross-section, corresponding to a cross-section of the respective shaft, in the region of shaft 531s. A ball bearing with a spring load of 53lb may be provided to hold shaft 531 in the illustrated position when filling the squeeze pack 402 and preparing baby formula. The belts 862 and 863 cannot be rotated in the illustrated position of the shafts and the opening created between them due to their arching must be horizontally aligned (to receive the double structure through the upper opening of the device), due to the mutual fit between the cross-sectional design of the tubular openings 530 and the cross-section of shaft 531 in the region of shaft 531s.

[0145] The outward-facing end of each of the shafts 531 may have a larger circular cross-section in diameter than that of the inner parts of the tubular opening, the shafts thus being prevented from coming any closer than illustrated.

[0146] Each of the shafts 531 further comprises a region 53lr located on the shaft from the inner end of the respective tubular opening 530. The region of the shaft 531r is of circular cross-section perpendicular to the plane of the drawing and has a diameter corresponding to the dimensions of the cross-section of the opening 530, so as to allow rotation of the shaft 531 around the shaft 597, in the operating stage when the region of the shaft 53lr occurs within the tubular opening 530. This operating stage occurs after the completion of the preparation of the infant formula inside the squeezeable packaging, once the user has pulled the shafts 531 out at both lateral ends of the device 580.

[0147] The linear movements of the rotating elements 812 manipulate the position of the restraining member 503, causing it to rotate around the axis 504 according to the lateral location of the disc as the flange 512f along the axis 597, as described above for the device 550, and interacting with the lever end 503h of the restraining member 503.

[0148] Figures 5K-5L illustrate views of a manually operated emptying device 270 for transferring a liquid from a supply container 401 to a baby feeding device 311, according to another preferred embodiment of the second broad aspect of the disclosed subject matter. It should be noted that the illustrated embodiment is depicted as having its body made of a transparent material (similar to the embodiments shown in Figures 5 and 5A), thus the rear-facing portions of the body and some movable members supported by them are visible through the front-facing walls of the body.

[0149] A double structure 400 comprising a squeeze pack 402 and an inflatable baby feeding container 312 can be suspended on pins 499, similarly to the suspension of the double structure 400 in the device shown in Figure 5. The squeeze pack 402 comprises at one upper end thereof, 401t, holes (or special straps having loops or holes at one free end of the strap), adapted for insertion of pins, respectively, to suspend the pack 402 on pins 499, thus facilitating the introduction of water and baby feeding formula powder into the pack by means of its open lid 451.

[0150] The manually operated device 270 comprises a body 487 having surrounding walls 488a - 488d that create a space 486 between them, for the double structure 400 to be suspended. The space 486 is accessible through an opening 487 formed in the upper wall 487t of the body 487, or through access recesses 488r created in one or two of the surrounding walls 488a and 488b. The surrounding walls may (although not in the illustrated embodiment) terminate at their lower end with a base wall to close the space 486 from the bottom. Two opposite walls 488c and 488d of the four comprise five slots each. Two of the five slots on each of the said opposite walls, the upper and lower slots 485u and 4851, serve as rails that support and allow the lateral mobility of a pair of mutually interconnected plates 48 IL and 481R.

[0151] The mutual interlocking plates 48 IL and 481R function to lock together (similarly to the function of 490r) the fastening rods 474a and 474b, while allowing a user to rotate them together by rotating the lever rods 469, similarly to the rotation of the lever rods 459 of the embodiment of Figure 5A.

[0152] The interlocking plates 481L and 481R can slide laterally along the grooves 485u and 4851 to which they can be coupled by means of engagement protrusions, for example, protrusions 477 formed in the corner regions of each of the interlocking plates.

[0153] The fastening rods 474a and 474b can be moved laterally through one third of the five grooves created in each of the opposite walls. The third groove 475, (located just below the aforementioned upper groove 485u), is a through groove for the fastening rods 474a and 474b, configured to allow their lateral movement and has a circular enlargement 475B in its middle region, configured to allow its smooth rotation once brought to the center of the groove and mutually interconnected (with the upper portion of the squeeze pack 402 held between them) by the mutually interconnected plates 481L and 481R. Each of the interlocking plates 481L and 481R comprises a semicircular recess configured to accept a respective of the fastening rods 474a and 474b, so that, when interlocked, the mirrored semicircular recesses together form a circular opening corresponding to the circular enlargement 475B, which allows the smooth rotation of the interlocked fastening rods 474a and 474b through the interlocking plates 481L and 481R.

[0154] The illustrated device 270 differs mainly from the device 250 of Figure 5A, in that it comprises a pair of restraining rods 471a and 471b, intended to prevent the inflated portion of the squeeze pack 402 from rising and reaching the fixing rods 474a and 474b when rotated to inflate the inflatable container of the double frame 400.

[0155] The restraining rods 471a and 471b (referred to in this specification also as restraining elements) are movable, respectively, through the fourth (483a) and fifth (483b) of the five grooves created in each of said opposite walls. The grooves for the restraining grooves, that is, through grooves 483a and 483b, each have an L-shaped contour with a horizontal groove segment configured to allow lateral movement of the respective restraining rod and a vertical groove segment configured to allow the respective restraining rod to move vertically, once brought by its lateral movement to a region closer to the axis of rotation of the fastening rods 474a and 474b. The vertical segment of each of the L-shaped grooves extends downwards from a respective end of the respective horizontal segment of the groove, so that once a restraining rod is brought to the end of the lateral segment of the L-slot closest to the axis of rotation of the fastening rods, the restraining rod can move (and in preferred embodiments can fall freely for at least the first few millimeters) downwards in the vertical segment of the L-shaped groove. The restraining rods are captured in the mutual interlocking plates 481L and 481R, within the respective vertical grooves 481Lg, so that the lateral movement of the restraining rods corresponds to the simultaneous lateral movement of a respective of the mutual interlocking plates 481L and 481R. Similarly, each of the fastening rods 474a and 474b can be captured to the respective semicircular recess in the mutually interlocking plates 481L and 481R by means of a semicircular wheel element (not shown), so that the lateral movement of the fastening rod also corresponds to and is simultaneous with the lateral movement of the mutually interlocking plates 481L and 481R. Once brought together by lateral movement, the semicircular wheel members of each of the mutually interlocking plates 481L and 481R are fitted together by mutually releasable connecting means to form a rotating wheel configured to rotate within the circular opening formed by the semicircular recesses, and thus to allow the fastening rods 474a and 474b to rotate, using the lever rods, to roll the squeeze pack around the rods in a manner similar to its rolling in the embodiment of Figure 5A.

[0156] In several preferred embodiments, the vertical grooves 481g extend through flexible vertical protrusions 481p, projecting outwards from the mutual interlocking plates 481L and 481R, respectively, and fitting perfectly into the restraint bars, so that once a restraint bar is manually forced (using buttons 481k at its ends) to the lower end of the respective vertical groove, it will remain immobile during the inflation operation mode of the inflation device, thus preventing the inflation portion of the squeeze pack from rising beyond the restraint bars.

[0157] Once a double structure 400 is suspended from the vertical pins 499, and after filling and finalizing the formula, joining the fixing rods 474a and 474b will cause the upper end of the squeezeable supply container 402 to be clamped between the fixing rods in the area along their common axis of rotation. In various embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, the fixing rods may each have a star-shaped cross-sectional design transverse to their longitudinal axis. The fixing rods 474a and 474b may then be rotated by a user, thereby rolling the squeezeable package 402 and reducing its volume. The remaining parts of the device's operation can be appreciated by reading the description of the operation relating to device 250.

[0158] Figures 6A - 6C illustrate a liquid receiving port 600 of a baby feeding device 311 with its inflatable container 312 shown before being inflated (only portion 312 of the baby feeding device is illustrated here in Figure 6C; for a complete view see Figure 3). The inflatable container 312 constitutes the inflatable part of the double structure according to various embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter. The liquid receiving port 600 comprises a cylindrical wall 601C, a cap 601 having a circumferential ring 601e to be inserted into a lower end of a flexible inflatable sleeve 312 constituting an inflatable container. In Figure 6C, the stopper is seen in position (in the upside-down orientation shown in Figure 6A, corresponding to its orientation in the filling apparatus shown in Figure 3), inside the sleeve 312, with a pressure ring 315r pressing an end portion of the sleeve 312 into a ring recess 601r formed in the cylindrical wall 601c. The sleeve is thus fixed to the liquid receiving port 600 in an irremovable manner in response to unintentional forces that may be exerted by a user during the use of the device. A semi-rigid protector 315 having a circular opening corresponding to the outer circumference of the pressure ring 315r is fitted into the pressure ring by inserting the edge of the protector facing the circular opening into a corresponding circumferential groove in the pressure ring. The liquid receiving port 600 comprises a one-way valve that allows the pressurized liquid port of the squeeze pack 302 into the inflatable sleeve 312, while preventing backflow from the sleeve 312 out of the port 600. The one-way valve comprises at least one opening 602 formed in the cylindrical wall 601c a few millimeters (e.g., between 3-12 mm) away from the end ring 601e. A flexible ring band 603 is mounted on the cylindrical wall 601c under the end ring 601e. The band 603 is sized to fit snugly on the cylindrical wall 601c to normally seal the openings 602 from liquid passage, due to the pressure between the ring band 603 and the cylindrical wall 601c where the openings 602 are formed.

[0159] Liquid pressure within the inflatable sleeve 312 will increase the pressure of the ring band 603 on the cylindrical wall 601c, thus allowing the sealing of the openings 602 and preventing the escape of liquid from the inflatable container through the liquid receiving port 600. In contrast, when a liquid of a pressure greater than the pressure within the inflatable sleeve 312 is forced into the liquid receiving port 600 through a hollow neck 60lh thereof, the pressurized liquid will push the ring band 603 through the openings 602 away from the cylindrical wall 601c, thus allowing the pressurized liquid to enter the inflatable sleeve 312 through a temporal gap created, under said liquid pressure, between the ring band 603 and the cylindrical wall 601c. Thus, while the filling apparatus is squeezing the flexible container 302 at an emptying pressure with a quantity of liquid contained in the container, the liquid will flow from container 302 to the inflatable container 312. Once the influx stops (due to the removal of the compression pressure of the container 302, or as may occur, for example, when all of its contained liquid has been transferred to the inflatable container 312), backflow from the inflatable container 312 is prevented by the ring band 603 resealing the openings 602 under the pressure of the liquid inside the inflatable container. The liquid receiving port 600 may comprise a flanged portion 601f to facilitate connection with a connecting element 305 that constitutes an outlet port of the flexible packaging 302. The flanged portion 601f may comprise a track matching with a mutual thread formed in the connecting member 305. In various embodiments, the connection between the connecting member 305 and the liquid receiving port 600 is by friction fitting, with or without partially rotating parts that fit together (i.e., parts that fit together and become locked together after their respective partial rotation).

[0160] Figure 7A illustrates in an exploded vertical cross-sectional view three members of another embodiment of a liquid receiving port 700a of a baby feeding device that constitutes the inflatable container part of the double structure according to various embodiments of the presently disclosed subject. The three members are a flexible valve membrane 710, a tubular membrane retaining member 701i, and a port body 720. When assembled together, the valve membrane 710 is implanted on a flat base surface 710b which is an outer surface of the base wall 720b (noted in Figure 7D), facing the inflatable container 311 (not shown here). In various embodiments of the presently disclosed subject, the membrane is formed of silicone rubber and is fixed to the base surface by the lower edge of the tubular wall 701 of the tubular membrane retaining element 701i. A plurality of, for example, four pointed projections 701p project downwards beyond the lower end of the tubular wall 701. The pointed projections squeeze into the membrane 710 respectively, for example, four points near their ends, to better grip the membrane between the base surface 710b and the retaining member 701i. A liquid port opening 720a is formed through the base wall 720b and is sealed in the direction of the inflatable container by said valve membrane 710.

[0161] A pair of semicircular recesses 701r is formed at the lower end of the tubular wall 701 of the retaining element 701i, thus allowing the valve membrane 710 to separate from the valve base surface 710b in the recess regions. The recesses are formed at opposite ends of a common diameter line (i.e., they are spaced 180 degrees apart on the circumference of the tubular wall 710). The tubular member 701i has a predetermined mounting position in the port body 720, resulting from the mutual protrusion and opening snap connections 701s - 720s by which the tubular member 701i is fixed to the port body 720. When in position, the semicircular recesses 701r are aligned with the openings 720o formed through the cylindrical wall 720c, immediately above the base surface 710b. The openings 720o allow liquid communication between the inflatable container 312 (see Figure 6C) and the interior of the tubular member 701i, through the semicircular recesses 701r. The inflatable container 312 can be fixed immovably to the cylindrical wall 720c of the door body 720, in a manner similar to the fixing between the inflatable container 312 and the cylindrical wall 601c in the embodiment illustrated by Figures 6A-6C. The ring recess 720r (analogous to the ring recess 60lr) allows connection by a corresponding pressure ring (analogous to the pressure ring 315r) and further includes protrusions 721 for slip-proof fixing. Thus, when the pressure inside the inflatable container is greater than the pressure in the hollow space 720h of the liquid receiving port, the pressure will be communicated through the openings 720o and the semicircular recesses 701r on top of the valve membrane 710, thus stressing it to the base surface 710b and sealing the opening 720a, as exemplified by the position of the membrane in Figure 7D.

[0162] Conversely, when the pressure in the hollow space 720h is greater than the pressure of the liquid inside the inflatable container (for example, due to the filling apparatus squeezing the flexible packaging 302 to supply its liquid to the inflatable container 312), the pressure will be communicated through the valve opening 720a to a lower part of the valve membrane 710, thus deforming the membrane as exemplified in Figure 7E (in Figures 7D and 7E the valve membrane 710 is marked with the pattern 'xxxxx' for ease of recognition), so that the liquid can escape through between the base surface 710b and the bottom of the membrane 710 in the recessed semicircular regions 701r, to the inflatable container 312 through the openings 720a.

[0163] Once the pressure in the hollow space 720h becomes less than that of the liquid inside the inflatable container, the valve membrane 710 will again be pressed towards the base surface of valve 710b, thus preventing backflow out of the inflatable container.

[0164] One advantage of the liquid receiving ports illustrated in Figures 7A-7E is that liquid can be withdrawn from the inflatable container by a syringe, since the opening 720a and the valve membrane 710 above the opening are accessible and penetrable by a syringe needle. Furthermore, since the inflatable container is disposable, withdrawal of liquid from the inflatable container, even with a needleless syringe, is possible. The needleless syringe can be intentionally attached to the body of the port 720 by forcing the valve membrane out of position (even tearing it or causing irreparable damage), pushing it with the tip of the syringe inserted into the opening 720a through the cavity 720h of the cylindrical wall 720c.

[0165] The flange 720f delimits the recess of the ring 720r from its lower part and defines a connective region between the lateral protrusions 722 and the flange 720f, to connect a liquid outlet port on the flexible container 302 having a mutual connection means 305, for example, by a partial rotation connection method. Alternatively, a friction connection may be provided between the outlet port of the flexible container and the liquid receiving port 700a of the inflatable container 311. In several other embodiments, a mutual threading is provided between the related ports to make the connection. For design purposes, the threading may be internal on the inner face of the cylindrical wall 720c (facing the cavity 720h) or on the outer face of the cylindrical wall 720c (for example, in embodiments where the lateral protrusions 722 do not exist).

Claims (9)

1. APPARATUS FOR FILLING INFLATABLE BABY FEEDING CONTAINERS, wherein the emptying device comprises a positioning and retention mechanism configured to position and retain a double structure comprising (i) a pre-filled squeeze pack 301 with a liquid content and constituting said supply container, and (ii) an inflatable container 311 constituting said baby feeding device, the positioning and retention mechanism being configured to allow the transfer of the liquid content from the squeeze pack 301 to the inflatable container 311 while the double structure 300 is held; the device further comprises an emptying mechanism 100 configured to apply an emptying pressure to the squeeze pack 301, thereby evacuating its liquid content to the inflatable container 311; The device is characterized by a suspension mechanism for holding the double structure in a vertical orientation with the squeeze pack 301 located above the inflatable container 311 and having its upper part open in a filling position in the device and accessible through an opening in the body of the device, thereby facilitating the introduction of ingredients of an infant feeding formula into the dispensing container, before applying a compression session to the prepared formula; the device further comprises a squeezer configured to secure an upper end of the squeeze pack in an area along a common axis of rotation to close the squeeze pack 301 above the level of its liquid contents and to wrap the squeeze pack 301 around the squeezer, from a distal end of the squeeze pack 301 to a proximal end of the squeeze pack 301 closest to the part of the inflatable container 311 by rotating the squeezer around the common axis of rotation. 2. APPARATUS, according to claim 1, characterized in that the suspension mechanism comprises two horizontally spaced oriented pins 117 projecting into a door space 103b near an upper end of the door space 103b. 3. APPARATUS, according to claim 1, characterized in that the suspension mechanism comprises a plurality of upward-extending pins 117 spaced apart, constituting or locating them near an upper end of the device. 4. APPARATUS, according to claim 1, characterized in that the emptying mechanism comprises an electric motor coupled to the double frame 100 to cause a respective movement between at least one portion of the double frame 300 and a mechanical compression member configured to force the liquid from the squeezeable package 301 into the baby feeding device. 5. APPARATUS, according to claim 4, characterized in that the compression element comprises two belts 862-863 structured together and configured to move away from each other in mirroring arcs when their longitudinal ends become closer together and join and become straight when their longitudinal ends are at maximum separation. 6. APPARATUS, according to claim 5, characterized in that the belts 862-863 are connected, respectively, near their longitudinal ends to the respective common members 812 that move vertically. 7. APPARATUS, according to claim 5, characterized in that the belts 862-863 are connected, respectively, near their longitudinal ends to the respective common rotating members 812. 8. APPARATUS, according to claim 7, characterized in that it further comprises at least one restraining element configured to allow the squeezeable packaging 301 to be wound onto the belts 862-863 after the belts have been rotated by the rotating members 812, while preventing inflated portions of the double structure 300 from rising above the restraining element 503. 9. APPARATUS, according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises an agitator member configured to maneuver the liquid contents of the squeezeable container 301 by repeatedly deforming the container from its outer side.