CA1334188C - Nursing bottles - Google Patents

Abstract

Improved nursing bottles comprising a bottle, the upper opening of which being equipped with a detachable nipple and a cap, a detachable case fitted to the bottom of the said bottle, and a means for indicating the temperature of a liquid inside the bottle, which means being built in the said case, are provided. The nursing bottles are distinguised over the prior art bottles in terms of the indication of the accurate temperature and the ease of sterilization.

Description

This application is a division of copending application 592,301, filed February 28, 1989.

The present invention relates to nursing bottles. More particularly, it relates to nursing botties having a function of indicating the inner temperature of the liquid contained therein.

It is necessary to feed milk kept at a proper temperature in suckling the baby using a nursing bottle. If the temperature of milk is too high, the baby can be burnt.
On the other hand, if the temperature of the milk is too low, the baby can suffer from a laxity of bowels. Among other things, milk prepared at improper temperature is likely to be rejected by the baby.

Generally, the artificial feeding of milk to the baby is carried out by pouring warmed water to a nursing bottle, then the dry milk is dissolved in it and the milk is cooled to a proper temperature, which is normally at about 36C
plus/minus 2C (96F plus/minus 3.6~F). In order to determine the proper temperature the sensuous method, such as touching the nursing bottle or dropping a small amount of milk on the hand, is normally used. However, such sensuous methods can be unreliable for various reasons, e.g. the surface temperature of the hand.

-Various proposals have been made so far for the nursing bottles that can detect temperature without relying on the sensuous methods. One proposal is to detect temperature by the change of color using, e.g. heat sensitive paints or thermolabels, as disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Application Kokai Nos. 55-19609, 60-106634, 55-45387, 61-173038 and 62-1627.

- la -1 3~4 1 88 While detectlon of the te~erature of the inner liquid can be achieved by putt~ng a bac ther~o~eter, suah ~ an~log alcohol bar ther~o~eter, into the ll~uid, not only it iB a cu~bQtso~e 50b to do but also it can be bad fot the heal~h.- --~i~ilarly, provision of a thermometee lnside the bottle should be avoiaed in view of sanitation.
Thus, atteapts have been ~ade to detect the inner teupetature fro~ the ~utsidQ by laylng a thetao~eter within the aterial of the bottle ot by attaching a the~o~eter on the side of the bottle or, alternatively, by sticking a bi~etal theruonetet or a digital llquld cry~tal ther~ometer to the outside of the bottle, a~ di~closed in Japanese Utillty ~oael Applicat~on Kokai No~. 63-38S29, 56-1160~4, 62-lq8235, 57-5235, 57-1131~2, 61-1~197~, 59-69738 a~d 60-1845~
The Japanese Utlliti ~odel Application ~okai No. 62-117537 disclose~ a nursing bottle that indicates the liquid te~petatute digitally. As shown in Figure 7, the bottle 11 is equippea with a thermoconductive thin film 12 and a sealing cap 13. The cap 13 is connected with a holding cap 17 which i8 equipped with a bar ther~o~ensor 14, thermal detector 15 and a ther~o~eter 16. She thin fil~ 12 is extended by the action of the bat ther~osen~or lq, and the te~perature of the ~ilk i8 -detectea by the thec~osensor 14 though the thin film 12.
Purthor, the Japane~e Utility Model Application ~okai No.
62-6831 aiscloses a nursing bottle shown in ~igures 10 an~ 11.
A signal processor 18 is providea at the bottom of a bottle 11 which i8 proyiaed~ at tho botto~, a concentric circular ther~oelectric ele~ent 19. ~ temperature lndicator 20 ana a buzzer 21 are provided at the upper ~art of tho bottlo 11, ~hich a-re connected to tho ~ignal processor 18 with a wiring 22.
Ho~ever, according to the prior art of detecting the liquia te~perature fro~ the outside either by layinq an analog bar ther~o~eter in~ide th~ aaterial of the bottle, or by providing it on the outer surface of the bottle, defects ~ay not be ~3~88 ~voided such a~ dl~flculty ln reading the scale of the th~m~m~t~r, particul~rly whQn th~ feeding o~ m~lk iB made at night. - -A digital indication of the temperature is much favorable bybeing able to indicate the temperature evety moment. Gene~ally, howeYer, it is difficult to detect the accurate tamperature if a dlgital liquid crystal thermo~eter is e~uipped intimately on the outer surface of the bottle due to the low the~moconductivlty o~ the bottie ~ade of glass or plastic ~aterial~. Further, the indicated temperature and the actual inner te~perature may generally be different due to radiation of heat by air on the outer surface of the bottle.
For lnstance, where temperature is detected with the ther~o~ensor 1~ throuqh the t~in fil~ 12 according to the proposal of the Japanese ueility Model Appllcation Kokai No.
~Z-117537, the ~nner liquid ~ust touch the thin film 12 either by ~aking the bottle 11 upside down or by ~winging the bottle ~n ordet to detect the accurate temperature, as shown in Figure 8. Even 80, a difference of temperature ~ay result if the bottle 11 is allowed to stand for a while after touching of the thin fil~ 12 to the liquid. ~oreoYer, the nursing bottle by this proposition-necessitates inconvenience that, as shown in ~igure 9, the sealing cap 13 attached to the opening of the bottle 11 and the holding cap 17 equipped with the thermosensor 14 must be ta~en off, after detection of temperature, and that a nipple 23 and and a nipple cap 24 ~ust be fitted to the opening of the bottle 11. 5till further, thé tem~orary stotage of the ~ealing cap 13, the nipple 23 and the ni~ple cap 24 causes another peoblem of sanitatlon.
Aside from the problem of accurate detection of the inner te~perature, the nursing bottle require~ sterilization by boiling and this is also true with the ni~le and the nipple cap that contact the baby. The proposal made by the Ja~aense Utility Model Application Kokai No. 62-6831 would cause - ` 1 334 1 88 difficulty in sterilizing it by boiling, since the _ -temperature indicator 20, the buzzer 21, the signal processor 18 and the wiring 22 are united with the bottle ll.

According to one embodiment of the invention, there is provided a nursing bottle which comprises (1) a bottle, the upper opening of which being equipped with a detachable nipple and a cap, (2) a detachable case fitted to the bottom of the said bottle, and (3) a means for indicating the temperature of a liquid inside the bottle, which means being built in the said case.

According to a preferred embodiment of this invention, the said means for indicating temperature comprises a temperature indicator, a substitute supporting the electronic circuit, a thermosensor detecting the temperature of the liquid in the bottle, and an elastic body supporting the said termosensor.

Also, according to a preferred embodiment of this invention, the indication of temperature may be effected by using a liquid crystal indicator.

According to another preferred embodiment of this invention, the indication of temperature may be effected by using a digital thermal indicator.

-- Acco~ding to still another ~refe~red e~bod~ment of th~s in~nti~n, ~ ~nt i8 provi~ed ~t the botto~ of the bottle, wher~by a closea space i8 fot~ad, between the said ca~e and the botto~ of~the said bottle, when the detachable ca~e is fltted to the bottom of the bottle.
Such a dent may be ~ade by ~aking the center of the body of the bottle thinner.
- Accordi~g to yet another prefetted e~bodiment of this i~ve~tion, the elastic body supporting the thetoosensor pushes the saia the~o~ensor upward 80 a~ to get the saia thermosqnsor in close touch with the dent at the botto~ of the bottle, when the case is fitted to the bottom of the bottle.
Acco~ding to a further ~referred e~bodiment of this invention, the case ~ay be ~ade detachable to the bottle by ptoYiding a ptotrudi~g portion, or ~eight, on the pa~t of the case ana by ptoviding a g~oove o~ the ~art of the bottom of the bottle, whereby snap-engaging the case and the bottle.
The case should support the bottle, when they are engaged, ~o that the bottle may stana firmly.
Thus, the nursinq bottle of this inventlon comprises a detachable nipple ~nd a cap fitted to an opening of a bottle, ana a detachable case fitted to the bottom of the said bottle, and a ~eans for indicating the temperature of a liquid inside the bottle, which means being built i~ the said ca~e and belng preferably a digital liquid crystal a~paratus. Therefore, with the nursing bottle of this inYentlon, there is no need for eschaning the nipple and the cap with the case building in the temperature indicating appratus, and it 18 possible to lndicate the temperature, while the nip~le and the cap are fitted to the bottle.
Also, with the nursi~g bottle of this invention, there 18 no need for swinging the bottle or ~aking it u~side down, a~ the case builaing in the te~perature indicating appratu~ ~ay be fitted to the bottom of the bottle. The teaperature of the -inner liquid may be determined accurately, th~ough the bottom of the bottle, ~y means of the tempQraturQ indicating appratus fitted to the bottom of the bottle.

Due to the attach~ent of the ca~e to the bottom of the bottle, it becomes quite easy to detect the lnner te~er~ture accurately, even when-the bottle ~tands, contalnlng a ll~u~d at a s~all amount. _ -Fu~thel, there 18 no difflculty ln sterili2ing the bottle,the nipple snd the cap by bolling slnce the case -is detachable to the body of the bottle. Thls was not the case wheee, as the peior art, the te~peratura lndlcatlng unlt, the signal processor ant the virlng are unitea with-the body of the bottle.
According to the present invention, a closed space ~ay be foraet betwee~ the botto~ of the bottle a~d the case, when the case i8 f itted to the bottla. As describea abo~e, it is dlfficult to ~ake the inner and outor temperatures ~eet due to -the ta~latlo~ of heat o~ the surface of t~ bottle. Wlth the present invention, howevet, an accurate detectlon of ehe inner teoperature ~ay beco~e posslble by the fot~atlon of a space between the case and the bottom of the bottle, whereby cuttlng off aeratlon.
Accordlng to the present ~nvention, a digltal liquid crystal appratus for inaicating te~petature ~ay co~prlse a digital liquld crystal temperature indicator, a substrate and a ther~osensot. The i~ner te~petatute may be lndicated digitally, whereby the proper temperature ~ay be noticed.
According to this lnventlon, not only the appratus supports the theruosenso~ but only it is ~rovlded wlth an eiastlc body that pushes the ther~osensot upwatd. ~hus, the top of the theraosensot is pushed upwatd by ~eans of the elastic body to contact closely the bottoa of the bottle, whereby a good ther~al sensitivity ~ay be achie~ed. It is preferable that a dent is pro~iaed at the bottom of the bottle 80 that the botto~
of the bottle ~ay get lnto close~ contact with the top of the ther~osenso~ pushed upward by repulslon of the elastlc body in otder to obtain a better thetaal senslti~lty of the sensor.
Accordlng to another aspect of this inventlon, the~e is pro~ided a nursing bottle, which co~prises (l) a bottle, the ~ 33~ 1 88 ~er o~ening of wh~ch belng equi~ped with a detachable nipple an~ a ~e. ~a~ a ~tach~blo case fitted to the bottom of the said bottl~, and (3~ a ~eans for alarming a proper tem~erature of a liquid in~ide the bottle, which means being built in the said case.
Such an alarming means may comprise a sensor measuting the teaperature of the llquid in the bottle, a substrate supporting a~ electronic circuit that processes the signals from the said sensor, an alar~ing part driven by the saia electronic circuit and alarming the proper temperature, and an elastic body supporting the said alarming ~art.
The alarming part ~ay be either a sound source or a light source.
Wheee it is a sound souce, it ~ay be, for example, a buzze~, an electronic chime or an electronic ~U8iC box.
Where it is a light source, it may be, for e~ample, a light emitting diode.
~ he sensor ~ay be a the~mister temperature element.
The-indicator of the liguid temperature may be provided on the surface of the ca~e which i8 fitted to the bottom of the bottle.
The indicator of the liquia tempecature i8 preferaby composed of a liguid crystal.
The indicator of the liguid temperature is preferably of digital.
In the nursing bottle equippea with an alarming mean~, it i8 prefe~able that a dent i8 pro~idea at the bottom of the bottle, ~he~eby a closea ~pace i8 formed, between the case and the bottom of the bottle, when the detachable case is fitted to the bottom of the bottle.
Such a dent may be made by making the cent~al body of the bottle thinner.
It is preferable that an elastic body su~orting the thermosensor pushes the ~aid themosensor upward 80 as to get t~e saia thermosensor in clo~e touch with the dent at the bottom of the bottle, when the case is fitted to the botto~ of the bottle.
.

4 i 8 ~
Thi~ may be achieved aff follows. Namely the ca~ may be ~ade det~chable to the bottle by p~ovid~ng a ~rotrud1ng ~o~tion, or height, on the pa~t of the case and by ~roviding a groove on the pa~t o~ the bottom of the bottle, whereby ~nap-enga~ing-the ca6e and the bottle.
The case should support the bottle, when they-are engaged, ~o that the bottle may stana firmly.
It iB preferable that a batteey or batterie~ ~ay be provided detachably 80 as to supply electricity to the alarmlng means.
Accordlng to this invention, an alar~ing means 6uch a~ ~ound ~ource or light ~ource ~ay preferably be ptovided, ln addition to the digital liquid crystal ther~oindicator. By so providing, it ~ay beco~e feasible that, in addition to the indication of te~perature, sound from a buzzer or flashing of a llght emitting diode alarms the proper temperature of the ~ilk.
It ia preferable that a aent iB provided at the center of the bottom of the bottle by ~aklng it thinner. Al~o it is reco~ended to ~ake the bottle a raised bottom.
According to the present invention, a sound source such as buzzer, an electronic chi~e or an electronic ~UBiC box and/or a light ~ource such as a light emitting diode are provided within the ca~e. The sound of the buzzer or the flashing of the l~ght e~itting diode alarms the proper temperature, normally 36C
plu~inus 2-C (96.~F plus/ainus 3.6F), while one iB engaged ln other ~ob~ or is taking care of the baby. The sound of buzzer fits psrticularly for the blind.
According to the present inYention, a circuit substeate loa~ing, e.g. a one chip ~icrocomputer 18 proviaea in the case.
She CPU of the ~icrocomputer processes comparatively the te~perature detected by the ther~ister ana the proper teaperature range, previously input, to operate the llqht and/or ~ound source to alarm that the liquid temperature 18 wlthin the proper range.

1 ~34~ 88 The ob~ect~ and featur~ mentioned ~boYe and other ob3ect~
~n~ r~turQs o~ thl~ invQntion will become clearer by reference to the furthQr descrlption and to the dcawings attached hereto.

.

- Pigure l i8 the front view of an embodiment of this invention. ~igure 2 is the cross sectional view along the line A-A' of the same embodiment. Figure 3 i~-the cross sectional view, or the deal drawing in part, of another embodiment of this invention. Pigure 4 is the built-up cro88 sectional view of the same enbodiment. Figure 5 is the front view of still another embodi~ent of this invention. Figure 6 is the cro~s - sectional view of the still snother eabodl~ent. Figure 7 i8 the perspective deal_arawing of an embodiment of prior ar~. Figure 8 i8 ~n explanato~y drawing of a used condition of the e~boai~ent of Figure 7. Figure 9 is another arawi~g of the embodiment of Figure 7 that explains the used condltion of the embodiment. Figure lO is an explanatory drawing of another embodiment of prio~ art. Figure ll is the bottom view of the embodiment of Figure lO.

E~ample~ according to the present invention will be explaine~ with reference to the drawings.
Figure l i8 the front view of an embodiment of this invention. Figure 2 i8 the cros~ sectional view along the line A-A~ of the embodi~ent. As shown by the drawings, the bottom of o$ the body of the nursing bottle-l (refer~ed to sometimes as the boay) is fitted with the c88e 2. In t~ xam~le, the ca~e 2 is fitted to the bottom of the body l by eng~ging the p~otruding portion, o~ height, on the ~art of the aase p~ov~ded inward and the groove on the part o f the bottom of the bottle.
The case 2 ~ay be released from the bottom of the body l by detaching the height f rom the groove. Namely, the case 2 iB
composed detachably agalnst the bottom of the body l as ~hown in the Example.

~ 334 1 88 The ca~e 2 contain~ a built-~n d~gital liquid crystal appratu~ T for indicating temperature that comprise~ a digltal liquid crystal temperature indicator 3, a thermosensor 4, an ela~tic body s 6upporting and push~ng upward the said ther~osen~or, and a substrate 6.
As ~hown, a cap 7 and a nipple 8 are fitted to the opening of the body 1. The bottto~ of the body 1 is taised and the centet of whlch is ~ade into a dent 9 by ma~lng thinner the thickness of that part than the other part of the bottom. As shown, the top of the thermosen~or is supportea by the ela~tlc body 5 at the center. The top of the thermosensor 4 and the substrate 6 are connected electorlcally each other with a wiring. By tepul~ion o~ the thermoelastic boay 5, such as tubber or ~pring, the top o~ the ther~osensor 4 is pushed - -.
upward towatd the dent 9 and comes lnto close contact with the dent 9 provldet at the center of the raised bottom. - -The ~ubstrate 6 ana the digltal liquld cry~tal temperature lndlcatlng part 3 are also connected electrlcally.
For e~empllflcation, Figure 1 shows that the digltal liquid crystal temperature indicator 3 indicates the temperature of 38.50C (101.3F) of the liquld contained in the body 1. As descllbed above, a standard temperature suitable for suckling is within the range of 36C plus/minus 2C (96.~-P plus/minus 3.6-F), 80 the te~perature indicated in Figure 1 is within a hlgh region (HI).
~ hen the te~peratuIe i~ detected at the top of the ther~osensor 4 closely contacted with the bottom of the body 1, it is inaicated digitally on the digital liguid cry~tal temperature lndicating part 3 through the substrate 6. It 18 pos~ible for the digltal liquid crystal temperature indicator 3 not only to indicate the temperature value, such as 38.5C
(101.3F), but also to lndlcate words, such as HI at a high temperature region and ~L0 at a low temperature region. The temperature range aay be changea by inputtinq it prevlously to the sub~t~ate 6.

- - iS34~88 ~ he sub~trate 6 co~ri~e~ a clrcu~t ~ubst~ate ~uch aff a prlnt~a bo~ra ~na i~ Qquipp~ with a cont~ol part com~e$~ng, e.g. a one chip microcomputer.
As ~hown in ~igure 2, a closed s~ace lo is for~ed between-the ca6e Z and the bottom of the body 1, when the cs~e 2 (herelnafter referred to a~ the ~te~perature case~) is fitted to the botto~ of the body 1.
- As desc~ibed aboYe, according to the ptesent invention, a digital liquid crystal teaperature apparatus T that indicates the te~perature of the liguid contained in the nur~ing bottle - i8 built in the temperature cass 2, which i8 fitted detachably to the bottom of the body 1. ~t ths sams time, the nipple 8 and the cap 7~are fitted to the opening of the body 1.
Thu8, unlike the prior art proposals, no change between the ~ipple 8 and the cap 7, and the te~perature case 2 equipped with the digital liguia crystal te~erature apparatus T ~8 required, and thus it become~ possible that the temperature ~ay be inticated while the nipple 8 and the cap 7 are fitted to the body 1. Since the temperature case 2 iB fitted to the bottom of the body 1, it beco~es unnecessary to make the body 1 upside down or swing it, and the temperature of the liquid contained in the body 1 ~ay be detected accurately, through the bottom of the body 1, by the temperature indicating appratus ~ in tke te~perature case 2. Thus, by fitting the temperature case 2 at the botto~ of the body 1,- it becomes possible to detect the accurate te~perature with a ~inimu~- er~ot even if the nursing bottle is allo~ea to stana, ~ince the liquid ~tays at the botto~ of thé body 1.
According to the present invention, the case 2 and the body 1 i8 detachable each other. So, only the body 1, the ni~ple 8 and the cap 7 ~ay be ster~llzed by boiling. This was not feasible in the ptior art where the te~e~stu~e iAdlcator, the signal processor and the wiring a~e united to the nursing bottle.

According to the Ure~ent invention, there i~ forml~ ~ cIo~ed ~pace lo composed of the case 2 and the bottom of the body 1, when the case 2 i~ fltted to the bottom of the body 1.
Generaily, due to the heat radiation on the ~urf~ce of the nursing bottle it is difficult to make the temperature co~ncide between the outer surface and the inside of the bottle. By ~eans of for~ation of the closed space 10 between the case 2 an~ the bottom of the body 1, howevet, the heat radiation at the bottom of the body 1 may be ~inimized and the accurate ind~cation of the lnner temperature becomes possible.
According to the present invention, the digital liquid crystal temperature inaicating apparatus ~ comprises the dlgital llquid crystal temerature indicator 3, the ~ubstrate 6 and the ther~osensor 4, whereby the proper te~perature i~
notified. Moreover, accoraing to the ~resent invention, the apparatus T i~ equipped with the elastic ~ody 5 which not only support but al~o push upward the ther~osensor 4.
By 80 doing, the top of the thermosensor 4 comes into clo~e contact with the bottom of the body 1, by the upward action of the elastic body 5, to create a good thermal sensitive condition .
Further, according to the pre~ent invention, a dent g i~
proviaed at the bottom of the body 1. The top of the ther~osensor 4 pushed upward by the action of the Qlastic body S become~ ~uch ~ore closer contact with the bottom of the body 1 by ~eans of the dent 9, whereby a much better thermal sensitiYity of the t~er~osensor 4 ~ay be achieved.
~ eference is now maae to the ~igures 3 and 4.
~ igure 3 is the cross sectionsl view of one of the emboa~ment of this invention in which the bottle body, the case detachable to the body and the water-proof cap for exchanginq battery are shown separately.
~ igure 4 i~ the cross ~ectional view of the assembled parts.
In this embodiment, the upper opening of the body 1 is not shown in the Fi~ures. Howevee, the cap 7 and the n~pp~e 7 shown in Figur~ na 2 ~r~ o fitted to the opening of the body-l in this embodiment, too.
~ ith the embodiment shown in the~e ~igures, at the botto~ of the body 1, the inner circumf erential part lB having the smaller diameter than that of the outer circumferential part 1 (that is to say the outer surface of the body) is ~rovided downward. The cu~Yed, rai8ed bottom lC is provided upwatd from the inner circumferential ~art-lB toward the inside of the body 1. At the center of the raised bottom lC, there is provided the groove lD, which i8 composed thinner.
The ther~ister 27, the elastic body 28, the circuit substrate 29, the sound source 30, the light source 31 and the battery 32 are united in the case 26.
The heat detective part 27A of the thermister 27, WhiCh is co~posed as the contact type, i~ contacted with the outer side of the bottom of the body 1 and ~lays the role of detecting the inner temperature of the liquid contained in the body 1. The thermister 27 is ~upported by the ela8tic body 28 at the center, which elastic body 28 beinq po~itioned below the ther~i~ter 27. Upon contact with the outer side of the body 1, the thermister 27 may be fixed by repulffion to the center of the elastic body 28 and then comes i~to clo~e contact with the outside of the bottom of the body 1.
As describea above, acco~aing to the p~esent invention, the botto~ of the boay 1 is finely devised and ~hi~ enables, couplea wit~ the action of the Qlastic bo,dy 28, a mo~e ~recise ana quicker detection of the temperature. The ela~tic body 28 ig co~posea, for example, by a ~ubbQr or a spring.
As shown in Figure 1, the termi~te~ 27 i~ connected to the circuit ~ub~trate 29 by mean8 of the conductor 27B. ~he circuit sub6trate 29 is compo~ed, for exa~le, by a rQ~in board.
Although not shown, the substrate 29 is prov~ded with a circuit by means of, e.g. printing. The circuit substrate 29 i8 equipped with a one chi~ microcom~uter, a crystal oscillating ~ ~ 33~ ~ 88 ~lement, a battery and an out~ut ter~nal foe the external connection. The output tec~inal for the external connect~an i~
connected to the light ~ource 31 con~i~tlng of, e.g. a light e~itting diode or to the sound ~ource consistlng of, e.g._a buzzer, an electronic ~usic box o~ an electronic ch~me, which i8 e~bedded in the side wall of the case 26.
One example of the operational procedure is: de~ecting the te~perature with the the~osen~o~ ther~ister 2?, actuating the crystal oscillating eleaent to emit the reference frequency 18uch as re~pon~e by clock ~ulse of once a second), fiwitching on the light ~ource 31 or sounding the sound source 30 by means of the terminal function of the output ter~inal for the e~te~nal con~ection ~ia the one chip ~croco~puter.
~ he CPU lcentr~l processing unit) of the one chip ~icrocoaputer carrie~ out the logical and the comparative ope~ations in accordance with the cont~ol program for the proper te~perature range stored in the ~e~ory element and outputs, being w~thin the proper temperatu~e ~ange, to the light source 31 or the sound sou~ce 30 via the output terminal fo~ the external connection.
Figure S is the front view of the nurff~ ng bottle when looked from the side of the llqht source 31.
In addition to the battery fo~ the circuit 6ub~trate 29, thece is provided the othe~ battery 32 at the bottom of the case 26 for operating the light source 30 or the light source 31 which can require a con~iderable demand.
Japanese Utility ~oael Application ~okai No. 62-6831 discloses a ~odel which utilize~ the temperature difference generate~ upon cooling hot water in a bottle. With this 6ystem, the electromotive fo~ce genetated by the thermoelectric effect of the thermoeleaent i~ charged to a capacitor of a large capacity. However, a large number of thermoelement~ are needed for charging the electro~otive force of ~V level, utilizing the teapelature difference for a ~hort period of time. ThU~, it would appea~ theo~etically and practically iapo~ible to u~e 1 33~ l 88 the electeomotive focce a~ the electcic ~ouece, qenerated by tho th~r~o~ tr~c Q~ct of the thermoelecteic elements utilizing the temp~rature difference for the short per~od of ti~e in order to operate the emi~ion element~ or the buzzer.
~ere, the the~oelement consists of two different metals (e.g.
copper and con~tantan~- and generates the electric force of ~V
level wlth the change of the tem~erature, by utilizing the t~er~oelectric ef~ect caused by the ter~perature différence.
The ther~ister, which ~ay be employed-in the present ivention, is co~posed of the resistance bulb element that iB
the sintered ~etal oxide-(the ~etal being, e.g. nickel, uanganese or cobalt). With the ther~ister, the resistance changes, unlike the ther~oele~ents, with inve~se proportion as the te~perature changes.
At the botto~ of ths case body 26A of the case 26, there is provided the cover 26B for ~lacing a battery. At the inner face of the cover 26B, there is provided the sound source 30 such as a buzzsr.
At the cente~ of the cover Z6B there is ~laced a battery 32 for operating the sound source or the like, which battery being connected with the circuit substrate 29 through the terminal - 32A, and fu~ther with the souna source 30 and the l~ght source 31.
As ~hown in ~igure 3, the battery 32 may be exchanged by rQleasing the the water-proof cap 26C of the U-shaped cross gection.
- The circuit substrats 29 ~ay be supplemented by a circuit congtituent 80 as to aiscontinue the buzz (e~g~ by ado~tion of ti~er circuit), whereby saving the demand of the battery 32.
As exemplified by the Exa~ple, the elastic body 28 is providea on the inter~ediate part 26D of the case 26 in order to support the ther~ister 27. The clrcuit subst~ate z9 is prov~ded under the interaediate part 26D, under whlch a sound source 30 such as a buzzer is ~rovided at the ~nner fsce of the case for placing buttery 26B. On the rever~e side of the case 26B there iR ~laced a buttery, which 18 f lx~e~ wlth the detachable water-proof cap 26C.
Within the ~ide wall of the ca~e 26A, there i~ embedded the light source 31 ~uch a~ a light emitting diode ~o that the e~ission may be ob~erved fcom the outside.
The case 26 and the bottle may-be united by engaging the protcuding part 26E at the upper part of the case 26~ and the groo~e lE at the inner circulat part lB of the bottom of the bottle. $he engage~ent can be relea~ed detachably, whereby sterilization by boiling ~ay be effected easily.
Likewise, the water-~roof cap 26C and the cover 26B may be united by engaging the protruding ~art and the groove.
Siaila~ly they ~ay be separatQd to enable easy exchange of the-batte~y.
A closed space 33 may be formed betwee~ the bottom of the bottle 1 and the ca~e 26 by fixing the both. The space may disturbs the aeration and decrease~ the radiation of heat at the ~urface of the bottom, and thus, contributes to an accurate detection of the temperature of the liquid.
A further explanation will be given with reference to Figure 6, ~hich is another embodi~ent of the present invention.
In the previous e~bodiment, the bottle 1 was provided with a thinner groo~e lD at the bottom. HoweYer, in this embodi~ent, there i8 no such groove and the bottom of the bottle is nearly flat, ~ince the embodi~ent is applled to nor~al nursing bottles.
With thi~ embodi~ent, the frame, or the side wall of the Ca~Q 26A is extended upward and the ~outh of the frame is engagea ~ith the bottom of the bottle 1. With the weights of the bottle and the liquid contained therein, the thermister 27 pu~hed upward with the elastic body 28 detects the te~pecature, when the bottle and the case are engaged, and the sound source 30 and the light ~ource 31 are operated.
Thus, in addition to the digital liquid ~rystal temperature indicator, the appratus according to the ~resent invention ~ay be equipped with the ~ound source 30 and/or the light ~ource 31.

~334188 --- The dig~tal liquid ery~tal tem~erature indicator may be prov~ao~, ~.g. on th~ oth~r ~ o~ the wall of the ea~e, oppo6it~ to the light source. Since this part i8 connected wlth the e~reu~t substrate 29, the temperature deteeted with the thet~ister 27 may be indieated on the digItal liquid erystal temperature indieator, a~ well as by means of the light ~ource 31 and the sound source 30 - Although the pcesent inventlon was explained with referenee to the speeifie embodiments, the seope of the pre~ent invention is not li~ited to those embodlments, as far as the spirit of this inventlon is not ehanged, and variou~ modifications may be possible. For example, the positions of the eireuit substrate and of the sound souree may be ehanged arbitrarily, as far as they are unlted in the ease.

IQ su~mary, aeeording to the pre~ent invention, there are provided nursing bottles that ean eonveniently be sterilized by boiling, that ean indicate the inner temperature accurately and that ean alarm the proper temperature by a liquld erystal indieator, a ~ound source and/or a light souree, whlch are practieally quite valuable.

Claims (7)

1. A nursing bottle having an upper end for receiving a detachable nipple and a cap, and said bottles having a bottom;
a detachable case fitted to said bottom of said bottle;
means for indicating temperature of a liquid inside said bottle, said temperature indicating means being disposed within said case, said temperature indicating means including a thermosensor, said bottom of said bottle being provided with a dent whereby a closed space is formed between said case and said bottom of said bottle when said detachable case is fitted to said bottom of said bottle;
elastic means disposed in said case and supporting said thermosensor, said elastic means pushing said thermosensor upward into close contact with said dent in said bottom of said bottle when said detachable case is fitted to said bottom of said bottle.

2. A nursing bottle as claimed in claim 1, wherein said means for indicating temperature further comprises a temperature indicator and an electronic circuit electrically connecting said temperature indicator and said thermosensor.

3. A nursing bottle as claimed in claim 2, wherein said temperature indicator electrically connected to said electronic circuit is a liquid crystal temperature indicator.

4. A nursing bottle as claimed in claim 2, wherein said temperature indicator electrically connected to said electronic circuit is a digital thermal indicator.

5. A nursing bottle as claimed in claim 1, wherein said bottom of said bottle has a center portion and a remainder portion and said dent is provided by making said center portion thinner than said remainder portion of said bottom of said bottle.

6. A nursing bottle as claimed in claim 1, wherein an outer portion of said bottom of said bottle is provided with a groove and said case is provided with a protruding portion snap-engaging said groove when said case is fitted to said bottom of said bottle.

7. A nursing bottle as claimed in claim 1, wherein when said case is fitted to said bottom of said bottle, said bottle stands firmly.