EP4031093B1 - Vent diaphragm for the rear ventilation of an anti-colic baby bottle - Google Patents
Vent diaphragm for the rear ventilation of an anti-colic baby bottle Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP4031093B1 EP4031093B1 EP20775716.2A EP20775716A EP4031093B1 EP 4031093 B1 EP4031093 B1 EP 4031093B1 EP 20775716 A EP20775716 A EP 20775716A EP 4031093 B1 EP4031093 B1 EP 4031093B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- bottle
- central
- ring
- diaphragm
- pressure
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Active
Links
- 208000004998 Abdominal Pain Diseases 0.000 title description 4
- 208000002881 Colic Diseases 0.000 title description 4
- 238000009423 ventilation Methods 0.000 title description 2
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 claims description 16
- 210000002445 nipple Anatomy 0.000 claims description 9
- 238000013022 venting Methods 0.000 claims description 9
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 claims description 7
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 6
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000005802 health problem Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000008267 milk Substances 0.000 description 2
- 210000004080 milk Anatomy 0.000 description 2
- 235000013336 milk Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 208000005141 Otitis Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 230000000295 complement effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000012141 concentrate Substances 0.000 description 1
- 208000019258 ear infection Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 238000003780 insertion Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000037431 insertion Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229920001296 polysiloxane Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 230000004044 response Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000002441 reversible effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61J—CONTAINERS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR MEDICAL OR PHARMACEUTICAL PURPOSES; DEVICES OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR BRINGING PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS INTO PARTICULAR PHYSICAL OR ADMINISTERING FORMS; DEVICES FOR ADMINISTERING FOOD OR MEDICINES ORALLY; BABY COMFORTERS; DEVICES FOR RECEIVING SPITTLE
- A61J9/00—Feeding-bottles in general
- A61J9/04—Feeding-bottles in general with means for supplying air
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a diaphragm and a device for facilitating bottom venting of an anti-colic baby bottle.
- the present invention also relates to a bottom-vented anti-colic bottle.
- prior art devices comprise a diaphragm lying on a structural part of the bottom of the bottle and configured to allow air ingress into the internal volume of the bottle.
- the diaphragm has a calibrated cut formed therein which opens out as a negative pressure is generated in the bottle upon milk suction, thereby providing the intake of an amount of air from the outside, that will equalize the pressure.
- the cut in the diaphragm opens to provide venting as a given negative pressure value is attained in the bottle.
- This value ranges from a minimum to a maximum which account for various factors, such as: the volume of the baby bottle, the type of liquid to be sucked from the bottle, the need to avoid dripping of liquid out of the bottle.
- Prior art bottom venting devices for bottles suffer from a variety of problems.
- prior art diaphragms require a high degree of negative pressure to open the passage and let air into the baby bottle. This entails an increased suction effort on the nipple by the baby.
- the object of the present invention is to provide a diaphragm, a bottom venting device for a baby bottle and a baby bottle that can obviate the above discussed prior art drawbacks.
- an object of the present invention is to provide a diaphragm that can ensure air ingress into the bottle and equalize the pressure while reducing the liquid suction effort required of the baby.
- a further object of the present invention is to provide a device for equalizing the pressure inside the bottle which can ensure air ingress and prevent leakage of the liquid contained inside the bottle.
- a further object of the present invention is to provide a baby bottle that can equalize the pressure inside the bottle as the liquid contained therein is sucked through.
- a diaphragm a device for bottom venting of a baby bottle and a baby bottle that comprises the technical features as disclosed in one or more of the claims.
- numeral 1 designates a baby bottle for a baby to suck liquid therethrough.
- the baby bottle 1 comprises a bottle 2 configured to contain a liquid, e.g. milk or water, a nipple 3 for a baby to suck the liquid therethrough and a device for equalizing the pressure 10 inside the bottle 2.
- the bottle 2 extends along a first axis X-X between an upper opening 2a, having the nipple 3 coupled thereto, and a lower opening 2b having the pressure equalizing device 10 coupled thereto. Both the nipple 3 and the pressure equalizing device 10 are preferably removably coupled to the bottle 2.
- the pressure equalizing device 10 can equalize the pressure inside the bottle, while ensuring fluid tightness both when sucking, i.e. when the bottle is in use, and at rest when the bottle is not in use.
- the baby bottle 1 is meant to be not in use when the baby does not draw liquid through the nipple 3, i.e. when the first axis X-X of the bottle 2 is substantially perpendicular to a conventional support surface.
- the baby bottle 1 is not in use when the bottle 2 is in an upright position and the pressure inside the bottle is equal to or higher than the pressure of the outside environment.
- the baby bottle 1 is meant to be in use when the lower opening 2b, with which the pressure equalizing device 10 is associated, faces upwards and the bottle is inclined to the conventional support surface.
- the baby bottle 1 is in use when the baby is sucking the liquid through the nipple 3 thereby generating a negative pressure inside the bottle 2 with respect to the outside environment.
- the pressure equalizing device 10 is configured to ensure fluid tightness and prevent liquid leakage from the bottle 2 and to ensure the ingress of air from an environment outside the bottle 2 as the liquid is being sucked through.
- the pressure equalizing device 10 comprises a bottom cover 11 that can be removably coupled to the bottle 2 of the baby bottle and a vent diaphragm 100.
- the vent diaphragm 100 is configured to interface with the bottom of the bottle 2, preferably defined by the bottom cover 11, which has one or more bores 12 formed therein for the passage of air from an outside environment into the bottle 2.
- the diaphragm 100 comprises a central flexible portion 101, a first ring portion 102 and a second ring portion 103 connected to one another.
- the central flexible portion 101 is elastically deformable to reversibly move between a rest configuration, when the pressure inside the bottle 2 is equal to or higher than the pressure of the outside environment, and a vented configuration when the pressure in the bottle 2 is lower than the pressure of the outside environment.
- the central flexible portion 101 is in the rest configuration when the baby bottle 1 with which it is associated is not in use.
- the central flexible portion 101 is in the venting configuration when the baby bottle 1 with which it is associated is in use.
- the first ring portion 102 surrounds the central flexible portion 101 to be concentric and connected with the central flexible portion 101.
- the first ring portion 102 comprises a bottom surface 102a that faces the bottom of the bottle 2 and a top surface 102b opposite to the bottom surface 102a and facing the interior of the bottle 2.
- the second ring portion 103 surrounds the first ring portion 102 to be concentric and connected with the first ring portion 102.
- the central flexible portion 101 is raised with respect to the second ring portion 103 towards the interior of the bottle 2 and the first ring portion 102 connects the central flexible portion 101 and the second ring portion 103, respectively.
- the central flexible portion 101 is spaced apart along the first axis X-X with respect to the second ring portion 103 by the first ring portion 102.
- the second ring portion 103 has an inside perimeter, having the first ring portion 102 connected thereto, and an outside perimeter that can be coupled to the bottle 2.
- the second ring portion 103 has an annular groove 107 formed on the outside perimeter to facilitate coupling and fluid tightness between the diaphragm 100 and the lower opening 2b of the bottle 2 when the baby bottle is assembled.
- the second ring portion 103 has at least one tab 106 projecting out of the portion 103 and configured to facilitate the actions of pulling out and position the diaphragm 100 on the bottom cover.
- the central flexible portion 101 as shown in the figures, comprises:
- the annular rib 101c comprises a plurality of passages 104 configured to move between:
- the passage from the rest configuration to the vented configuration causes the central dome-shaped zone 101a of the annular depression 101b to move away from the first ring portion 102 toward the interior of the bottle.
- the central dome-shaped zone 101a and the annular depression 101b are moved away the annular rib 101c is elastically deformed and the passages 104 are accordingly opened to let air into the bottle.
- the central flexible portion 101 in the rest configuration is substantially disk-shaped with a corrugated section comprising the central dome portion 101a, the annular depression 101b and the annular rib 101c.
- the central flexible portion 101 assumes a substantially conical or frustoconical shape.
- the central flexible portion 101 has a top surface facing the interior of the bottle 2 and a bottom surface facing the bottom of the bottle 2 so that:
- the central flexible portion 101 sheet has a thickness S from 1 mm to 1.5 mm.
- the annular rib 101c has a thickness S2 from 0,4 mm to 0.6 mm.
- the passages 104 are spaced apart from each other along the annular rib 101c to create a uniform passage of air from the outside environment to the inside environment.
- the passages 104 are equally spaced from each other along the annular rib 101c.
- the arrangement of the plurality of passages 104 along the annular rib 101c facilitates the passage of the air in the vented configuration while reducing the effort that the baby has to make to drink from the nipple.
- each passage 104 is formed without removing material from the central flexible portion 101.
- each passage 104 is obtained by tearing or cutting the central flexible portion 101 thus avoiding any material removal.
- each passage 104 thus obtained avoids undesired fluid leakages when in the closed position.
- each passage 104 extends between a first end 104a and a second end 104b in a direction of extension Y-Y that is radially oriented with respect to the center of the annular rib 101c.
- the first end 104a faces the central dome-shaped portion 101a
- the second end 104b faces the first ring portion 102 along the direction of extension Y-Y that passes substantially through the center of the annular rib 101c.
- the radial extension of the passages 104 facilitates the passage:
- each passage 104 has a linear and/or curvilinear profile.
- each passage 104 has a crescent-shaped profile.
- the diaphragm 20 is made of a silicone material preferably having a shore hardness 40 and a nominal modulus of elasticity of 770*10 5 Pa.
- the diaphragm 100 can achieve optimal operating conditions for opening the passages 104, for effective re-equalization of the pressure difference occurring inside the baby bottle as liquid is sucked therefrom.
- the diaphragm 100 comprises a stiffening member 105 which is adapted to at least partially stiffen the first ring portion 102.
- the stiffening member 105 is configured to facilitate a reversible passage between the rest configuration and the vented configuration by concentrating pressure stresses on the flexible central portion 101.
- the stiffening member 105 concentrates pressure stresses on the central flexible portion 101.
- the stiffening member 105 facilitates proper adhesion of the diaphragm 100 with the bottom of the bottle 1 thereby facilitating the movement of the central flexible portion 101 only.
- the annular stiffening member 105 is incorporated in the first ring portion 102 between the top surface 102a and the bottom surface 102b of the first ring portion 102.
- the insertion of the stiffening member 105 inside the diaphragm 100 facilitates the manufacturing process.
- the annular stiffening member 102 is coupled to the top surface 102b while surrounding the first ring portion 102.
- the annular stiffening member 105 is coupled to the bottom surface 102a so that the first ring portion 102 surrounds the annular stiffening member 105.
- the annular stiffening member 105 is configured to stiffen the first ring portion 102 by extending between the second ring portion 103 and the central flexible portion 101 along the first ring portion 102.
- the concentration of pressure stresses on the central flexible portion 101 improves.
- the stiffening member 105 is made of a rigid polymeric material, so that proper movement of the central flexible portion 101 is ensured and undesired deformations caused by the first ring portion 102 are prevented.
- the diaphragm 100 is coupled to the bottom cover 11 which comprises:
- vent diaphragm 100 overlies the bottom cover 11 so that:
- the first bottom ring 11b has an outer surface facing the bottom surface 102a of the diaphragm and adapted to facilitate adhesion between the diaphragm 100 and the bottom cover 11.
- the outer surface of the first bottom ring 11b is corrugated or has friction elements.
- the central bottom portion 11a has a cusp shape around with bores 12 formed around its top. Therefore, in the rest configuration, the central dome-shaped zone 101a at least partially abuts against the cusp of the central bottom portion 11a.
- the central dome-shaped zone 101a covers the bores 12 formed on the bottom cover, thereby ensuring fluid tightness when the bottle is not in use.
- the assembly of the first ring portion 102 with the central portion 101 and the assembly of the first bottom ring 11b with the central bottom portion 11a have first and second complementary dome shapes respectively. Namely, the assembly of the first bottom ring 11b with the central bottom portion 11a is coupled with the assembly of the first ring portion 102 with the flexible central portion 101.
- the annular rib 101a is raised from the central bottom portion 11a and from the first bottom ring 11b when the diaphragm 100 is coupled to the bottom cover 11, thereby facilitating the passage between the rest configuration and the vented configuration and avoiding undesired liquid leakage.
- each of the second ring portion 103 and the second bottom ring 11c defines an annulus.
- the second bottom ring 11c of the cover 11 is configured to mate with the second ring portion 103.
- the stiffening member 105 keeps the dome shape of the diaphragm 100 thereby providing easy coupling with the dome of the bottom cover 11c and preventing undesired movements of the second ring portion 103 from the second bottom ring 11c, whether the bottle is or is not in use.
Description
- The present invention relates to a diaphragm and a device for facilitating bottom venting of an anti-colic baby bottle. The present invention also relates to a bottom-vented anti-colic bottle.
- In the prior art, air ingress is facilitated into a baby bottle during suction to avoid health problems for the child. The interior of the bottle is vented from the bottom of the bottle itself or from the nipple through the conventional anti-colic valve. For bottom venting of bottles, prior art devices comprise a diaphragm lying on a structural part of the bottom of the bottle and configured to allow air ingress into the internal volume of the bottle. In particular, the diaphragm has a calibrated cut formed therein which opens out as a negative pressure is generated in the bottle upon milk suction, thereby providing the intake of an amount of air from the outside, that will equalize the pressure. It shall be noted that the cut in the diaphragm opens to provide venting as a given negative pressure value is attained in the bottle. This value ranges from a minimum to a maximum which account for various factors, such as: the volume of the baby bottle, the type of liquid to be sucked from the bottle, the need to avoid dripping of liquid out of the bottle.
- One example of diaphragm for rear ventilation is disclosed in
US 2016067146 A1 . - Prior art bottom venting devices for bottles suffer from a variety of problems. First, leakages of the liquid held in the bottle may occur due to undesired opening of the cut in response to a pressure that is higher than the external pressure. Second, the opening of the cut caused by the ingress of air into the bottle requires excessive suction efforts which, in addition to fatigue, cause health problems, for example otitis. Furthermore, prior art diaphragms require a high degree of negative pressure to open the passage and let air into the baby bottle. This entails an increased suction effort on the nipple by the baby.
- The object of the present invention is to provide a diaphragm, a bottom venting device for a baby bottle and a baby bottle that can obviate the above discussed prior art drawbacks.
- In particular, an object of the present invention is to provide a diaphragm that can ensure air ingress into the bottle and equalize the pressure while reducing the liquid suction effort required of the baby.
- A further object of the present invention is to provide a device for equalizing the pressure inside the bottle which can ensure air ingress and prevent leakage of the liquid contained inside the bottle.
- A further object of the present invention is to provide a baby bottle that can equalize the pressure inside the bottle as the liquid contained therein is sucked through.
- The aforementioned technical purpose and objects are substantially fulfilled by a diaphragm, a device for bottom venting of a baby bottle and a baby bottle that comprises the technical features as disclosed in one or more of the claims.
- Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become clearer from the description, provided by way of indication and without limitation, of a preferred, not exclusive embodiment of a diaphragm for venting a baby bottle, a device for equalizing the pressure inside a baby bottle and a baby bottle equipped with a pressure equalizing device, as shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:
-
Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the diaphragm according to an embodiment of the present invention; -
Figure 2 shows a cross sectional view of the diaphragm according to the embodiment ofFigure 1 ; -
Figure 3 shows a top view of the diaphragm according to the embodiment ofFigure 1 , -
Figure 4 shows a detail sectional view of the diaphragm according to the embodiment ofFigure 1 ; -
Figure 5 is a perspective view of a stiffening member that can be associated with the diaphragm ofFigure 1 ; -
Figure 6 shows a sectional view of the stiffening member ofFigure 4 ; -
Figure 7 shows a sectional view of a bottom vented baby bottle according to an embodiment of the present invention; -
Figure 8 shows a pressure equalizing device according to an embodiment of the present invention mounted to the bottom of the baby bottle ofFigure 7 . - Even when this is not expressly stated, the individual features as described with reference to the particular embodiments shall be intended as auxiliary to and/or interchangeable with other features described with reference to other exemplary embodiments.
- Referring to the accompanying figures,
numeral 1 designates a baby bottle for a baby to suck liquid therethrough. Thebaby bottle 1 comprises abottle 2 configured to contain a liquid, e.g. milk or water, anipple 3 for a baby to suck the liquid therethrough and a device for equalizing thepressure 10 inside thebottle 2. In particular, thebottle 2 extends along a first axis X-X between anupper opening 2a, having thenipple 3 coupled thereto, and alower opening 2b having thepressure equalizing device 10 coupled thereto. Both thenipple 3 and thepressure equalizing device 10 are preferably removably coupled to thebottle 2. - The
pressure equalizing device 10 can equalize the pressure inside the bottle, while ensuring fluid tightness both when sucking, i.e. when the bottle is in use, and at rest when the bottle is not in use. - As used herein, the
baby bottle 1 is meant to be not in use when the baby does not draw liquid through thenipple 3, i.e. when the first axis X-X of thebottle 2 is substantially perpendicular to a conventional support surface. In other words, thebaby bottle 1 is not in use when thebottle 2 is in an upright position and the pressure inside the bottle is equal to or higher than the pressure of the outside environment. - As used herein, the
baby bottle 1 is meant to be in use when thelower opening 2b, with which thepressure equalizing device 10 is associated, faces upwards and the bottle is inclined to the conventional support surface. In other words, thebaby bottle 1 is in use when the baby is sucking the liquid through thenipple 3 thereby generating a negative pressure inside thebottle 2 with respect to the outside environment. - The
pressure equalizing device 10 is configured to ensure fluid tightness and prevent liquid leakage from thebottle 2 and to ensure the ingress of air from an environment outside thebottle 2 as the liquid is being sucked through. In particular, thepressure equalizing device 10 comprises abottom cover 11 that can be removably coupled to thebottle 2 of the baby bottle and avent diaphragm 100. - According to an embodiment of the present invention, the
vent diaphragm 100 is configured to interface with the bottom of thebottle 2, preferably defined by thebottom cover 11, which has one ormore bores 12 formed therein for the passage of air from an outside environment into thebottle 2. - The
diaphragm 100 comprises a centralflexible portion 101, afirst ring portion 102 and asecond ring portion 103 connected to one another. - The central
flexible portion 101 is elastically deformable to reversibly move between a rest configuration, when the pressure inside thebottle 2 is equal to or higher than the pressure of the outside environment, and a vented configuration when the pressure in thebottle 2 is lower than the pressure of the outside environment. In other words, the centralflexible portion 101 is in the rest configuration when thebaby bottle 1 with which it is associated is not in use. Conversely, the centralflexible portion 101 is in the venting configuration when thebaby bottle 1 with which it is associated is in use. - The
first ring portion 102 surrounds the centralflexible portion 101 to be concentric and connected with the centralflexible portion 101. - Preferably, the
first ring portion 102 comprises abottom surface 102a that faces the bottom of thebottle 2 and atop surface 102b opposite to thebottom surface 102a and facing the interior of thebottle 2. - The
second ring portion 103 surrounds thefirst ring portion 102 to be concentric and connected with thefirst ring portion 102. The centralflexible portion 101 is raised with respect to thesecond ring portion 103 towards the interior of thebottle 2 and thefirst ring portion 102 connects the centralflexible portion 101 and thesecond ring portion 103, respectively. In other words, the centralflexible portion 101 is spaced apart along the first axis X-X with respect to thesecond ring portion 103 by thefirst ring portion 102. - The
second ring portion 103 has an inside perimeter, having thefirst ring portion 102 connected thereto, and an outside perimeter that can be coupled to thebottle 2. - Preferably, the
second ring portion 103 has anannular groove 107 formed on the outside perimeter to facilitate coupling and fluid tightness between thediaphragm 100 and thelower opening 2b of thebottle 2 when the baby bottle is assembled. - More preferably, the
second ring portion 103 has at least onetab 106 projecting out of theportion 103 and configured to facilitate the actions of pulling out and position thediaphragm 100 on the bottom cover. - The central
flexible portion 101, as shown in the figures, comprises: - a central dome-
shaped zone 101a; - an
annular depression 101b externally surrounding the central dome-shaped zone 101a, to be concentric and connected with said central dome-shaped zone 101a; - an
annular rib 101c surrounding saidannular depression 101b, to be concentric and internally connected with theannular depression 101b and externally connected with thefirst ring portion 102; - In order to allow the passage of air through the bores from the bottom of the
bottle 2 into of the bottle, theannular rib 101c comprises a plurality ofpassages 104 configured to move between: - an open position to allow passage of air from the outside environment to the interior of the
bottle 2 when the centralflexible portion 101 is in the vented configuration; and - a fluid-tight closed position when the central
flexible portion 101 is in the rest configuration. - The passage from the rest configuration to the vented configuration causes the central dome-shaped
zone 101a of theannular depression 101b to move away from thefirst ring portion 102 toward the interior of the bottle. As a result, as the central dome-shapedzone 101a and theannular depression 101b are moved away theannular rib 101c is elastically deformed and thepassages 104 are accordingly opened to let air into the bottle. In particular, the centralflexible portion 101 in the rest configuration is substantially disk-shaped with a corrugated section comprising thecentral dome portion 101a, theannular depression 101b and theannular rib 101c. Conversely, in the vented configuration, the centralflexible portion 101 assumes a substantially conical or frustoconical shape. - According to a preferred embodiment, the central
flexible portion 101 has a top surface facing the interior of thebottle 2 and a bottom surface facing the bottom of thebottle 2 so that: - the outer surface of the central dome-shaped
zone 101a has a first radius of curvature R1 ranging from 5.5 mm to 6.5 mm; - the outer surface of the
annular depression 101b has a second radius of curvature R2 ranging from 1.5 mm to 2 mm; - the outer surface of the
annular rib 101c has a third radius of curvature R3 ranging from 1 mm to 1.5 mm. - Preferably, the central
flexible portion 101 sheet has a thickness S from 1 mm to 1.5 mm. - Preferably, the
annular rib 101c has a thickness S2 from 0,4 mm to 0.6 mm. - According to a preferred embodiment, the
passages 104 are spaced apart from each other along theannular rib 101c to create a uniform passage of air from the outside environment to the inside environment. Preferably, thepassages 104 are equally spaced from each other along theannular rib 101c. Advantageously, the arrangement of the plurality ofpassages 104 along theannular rib 101c facilitates the passage of the air in the vented configuration while reducing the effort that the baby has to make to drink from the nipple. - According to a preferred embodiment, each
passage 104 is formed without removing material from the centralflexible portion 101. Preferably, eachpassage 104 is obtained by tearing or cutting the centralflexible portion 101 thus avoiding any material removal. Advantageously, eachpassage 104 thus obtained avoids undesired fluid leakages when in the closed position. - According to a preferred embodiment, each
passage 104 extends between afirst end 104a and asecond end 104b in a direction of extension Y-Y that is radially oriented with respect to the center of theannular rib 101c. In other words, for eachpassage 104 thefirst end 104a faces the central dome-shapedportion 101a, whereas thesecond end 104b faces thefirst ring portion 102 along the direction of extension Y-Y that passes substantially through the center of theannular rib 101c. Advantageously, the radial extension of thepassages 104 facilitates the passage: - between the closed position and the open position when the flexible
central portion 101 moves from the rest configuration to the vented configuration; - between the open position and the closed position when the flexible
central portion 101 moves from the vented configuration to the rest configuration. - According to a preferred embodiment, each
passage 104 has a linear and/or curvilinear profile. Preferably, eachpassage 104 has a crescent-shaped profile. - Concerning the material, in order to ensure proper operation of the
device 10, the diaphragm 20 is made of a silicone material preferably having a shore hardness 40 and a nominal modulus of elasticity of 770*105 Pa. Advantageously, thediaphragm 100 can achieve optimal operating conditions for opening thepassages 104, for effective re-equalization of the pressure difference occurring inside the baby bottle as liquid is sucked therefrom. - It should also be noted that as negative pressure increases inside the
bottle 2 of thebaby bottle 1, the deformation of thediaphragm 100 also increases and therefore thepassages 104 open wider, affording effective re-equalization of the pressure difference. - According to a preferred embodiment, the
diaphragm 100 comprises a stiffeningmember 105 which is adapted to at least partially stiffen thefirst ring portion 102. In particular, the stiffeningmember 105 is configured to facilitate a reversible passage between the rest configuration and the vented configuration by concentrating pressure stresses on the flexiblecentral portion 101. - Advantageously, the stiffening
member 105 concentrates pressure stresses on the centralflexible portion 101. - Advantageously, the stiffening
member 105 facilitates proper adhesion of thediaphragm 100 with the bottom of thebottle 1 thereby facilitating the movement of the centralflexible portion 101 only. - Preferably, the
annular stiffening member 105 is incorporated in thefirst ring portion 102 between thetop surface 102a and thebottom surface 102b of thefirst ring portion 102. Advantageously, the insertion of the stiffeningmember 105 inside thediaphragm 100 facilitates the manufacturing process. - According to an embodiment, as an alternative to the above, the
annular stiffening member 102 is coupled to thetop surface 102b while surrounding thefirst ring portion 102. - According to a further embodiment, as an alternative to the two preceding embodiments, the
annular stiffening member 105 is coupled to thebottom surface 102a so that thefirst ring portion 102 surrounds theannular stiffening member 105. - According to a preferred embodiment, the
annular stiffening member 105 is configured to stiffen thefirst ring portion 102 by extending between thesecond ring portion 103 and the centralflexible portion 101 along thefirst ring portion 102. Advantageously, as the entirefirst ring portion 102 is stiffened the concentration of pressure stresses on the centralflexible portion 101 improves. - According to a preferred embodiment, the stiffening
member 105 is made of a rigid polymeric material, so that proper movement of the centralflexible portion 101 is ensured and undesired deformations caused by thefirst ring portion 102 are prevented. - In the preferred embodiment of the
pressure equalizing device 10 of the present invention, thediaphragm 100 is coupled to thebottom cover 11 which comprises: - a
central bottom portion 11a having at least one bore 12 for providing fluid communication between the outside environment and the interior of thebottle 2; - a first
bottom ring 11b surrounding thecentral bottom portion 11a, to be concentric and connected with thecentral bottom portion 11a; - a second
bottom ring 11c surrounding the firstbottom ring 11b to be concentric and connected with the firstbottom ring 11b. Thecentral bottom portion 11a is raised with respect to thesecond bottom ring 11c towards the interior of thebottle 2. Furthermore, the firstbottom ring 11b connects thecentral bottom portion 11a and thesecond bottom ring 11c. - Namely, the
vent diaphragm 100 overlies thebottom cover 11 so that: - when the pressure in the
bottle 2 is higher than or equal to the outside pressure, the centralflexible portion 101 is in the rest configuration in which it at least partially abuts against thecentral bottom portion 11a; - when the pressure in the
bottle 2 is lower than the outside pressure, the centralflexible portion 101 is in the vented configuration in which it is axially spaced from thecentral bottom portion 11a, thereby allowing the passage of air from the outside environment to the interior of thebottle 2. - Preferably, the first
bottom ring 11b has an outer surface facing thebottom surface 102a of the diaphragm and adapted to facilitate adhesion between thediaphragm 100 and thebottom cover 11. For example, the outer surface of the firstbottom ring 11b is corrugated or has friction elements. - More preferably, the
central bottom portion 11a has a cusp shape around withbores 12 formed around its top. Therefore, in the rest configuration, the central dome-shapedzone 101a at least partially abuts against the cusp of thecentral bottom portion 11a. - Even more preferably, the central dome-shaped
zone 101a covers thebores 12 formed on the bottom cover, thereby ensuring fluid tightness when the bottle is not in use. - According to a preferred embodiment of the
pressure equalizing device 10, the assembly of thefirst ring portion 102 with thecentral portion 101 and the assembly of the firstbottom ring 11b with thecentral bottom portion 11a have first and second complementary dome shapes respectively. Namely, the assembly of the firstbottom ring 11b with thecentral bottom portion 11a is coupled with the assembly of thefirst ring portion 102 with the flexiblecentral portion 101. - Preferably, the
annular rib 101a is raised from thecentral bottom portion 11a and from the firstbottom ring 11b when thediaphragm 100 is coupled to thebottom cover 11, thereby facilitating the passage between the rest configuration and the vented configuration and avoiding undesired liquid leakage. - According to a preferred embodiment, each of the
second ring portion 103 and thesecond bottom ring 11c defines an annulus. In particular, thesecond bottom ring 11c of thecover 11 is configured to mate with thesecond ring portion 103. Advantageously, the stiffeningmember 105 keeps the dome shape of thediaphragm 100 thereby providing easy coupling with the dome of thebottom cover 11c and preventing undesired movements of thesecond ring portion 103 from thesecond bottom ring 11c, whether the bottle is or is not in use.
Claims (9)
- A vent diaphragm for a baby bottle (100), configured to interface with the bottom of the bottle (2) which is formed with one or more bores for the passage of air from an outside environment to the interior of the bottle (2), said diaphragm (100) comprising:- a central flexible portion (101) which is elastically deformable to reversibly move between a rest configuration, when the pressure inside the bottle (2) is equal to or higher than the pressure of the outside environment, and a vented configuration when the pressure in the bottle (2) is lower than the pressure of the outside environment,- a first ring portion (102) surrounding said central flexible portion (101), said first ring portion (102) being concentric and connected with the central flexible portion (101);- a second ring portion (103) surrounding said first ring portion (102), said second ring portion (103) being concentric and connected with the first ring portion (102); said central flexible portion (101) being raised with respect to said second ring portion (103) toward the interior of the bottle (2), said first ring portion (102) connecting said central flexible portion (101) and said second ring portion (103);characterized in that said central flexible portion (101) comprises:- a central dome-shaped zone (101a);- an annular depression (101b) externally surrounding said central dome-shaped zone (101a), said annular depression (101b) being concentric and connected with said central dome-shaped zone (101a);- an annular rib (101c) surrounding said annular depression (101b), said annular rib (101c) being concentric and internally connected with said annular depression (101b) and externally connected with said first ring portion (102);and wherein:- said annular rib (101b) comprises a plurality of passages (104) configured to move between:- an open position to allow passage of air from said outside environment to the interior of the bottle (2) when the central flexible portion (101) is in the vented configuration; and- a fluid-tight closed position when the central flexible portion (101) is in the rest configuration.
- A diaphragm (100) as claimed in claim 1, in which the passages (104) of the plurality of passages (104) are spaced from each other along said annular rib (101c).
- A diaphragm (100) as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein each passage (104) of the plurality of passages (104) is formed by tearing or cutting the central flexible portion (101) without removing material from the central flexible portion (101).
- A diaphragm (100) as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, wherein each passage (104) extends between a first end (104a) and a second end (104b) in a direction of extension (Y-Y) that is radially oriented with respect to the center of the annular rib (101c).
- A diaphragm (100) as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4, wherein each passage (104) has a linear and/or crescent-shaped profile.
- A diaphragm (100) as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5, comprising a stiffening member (105) which is adapted to at least partially stiffen the first ring portion (102).
- A device for equalizing pressure (10) in a baby bottle (2) by bottom-venting the bottom during sucking comprising:- a bottom cover (11) which is adapted to be removably coupled to the bottle (2), said bottom cover (11) comprising:- a central bottom portion (11a) having at least one bore (12) for providing fluid communication between the outside environment and the interior of the bottle (2);- a first bottom ring (11b) surrounding the central bottom portion (11a); said first bottom ring (11b) being concentric and connected with said central bottom portion (11a);- a second bottom ring (11c) surrounding the first bottom ring of the bottom (11b), said second bottom ring (11c) being concentric and connected with said first bottom ring (11b), said central bottom portion (11a) being raised with respect to the second bottom ring (11c) toward the interior of the bottle (2), said first bottom ring (11b) connecting said central bottom portion (11a) and said second bottom ring (11c);- a vent diaphragm (100) as claimed in any of claims 1 to 6; said diaphragm (100) overlapping said bottom cover (11) such that:- when the pressure in the bottle (2) is higher than or equal to the outside pressure, said central flexible portion (101) is in the rest configuration in which it at least partially abuts against the central bottom portion (11a);- when the pressure in the bottle (2) is lower than the outside pressure, said central flexible portion (101) is in the vented configuration in which it is axially spaced from said central bottom portion (11a), thereby allowing the passage of air from the outside environment to the interior of the bottle (2).
- A device (10) as claimed in claim 7, wherein:- the assembly of the first ring portion (102) with the central flexible portion (101) has a dome shape;- the assembly of said first bottom ring (11b) with said central bottom portion (11a) defines a dome shape that is coupled with the assembly of the first ring portion (102) with the flexible central portion (101).
- A bottom vented baby bottle (1) comprising:- a bottle (2) extending along a first axis (X-X) between an upper opening (2a) and a lower opening (2b),- a nipple (3) for sucking a liquid contained in the baby bottle (2), which is coupled to the upper opening,- a pressure equalizing device (10) removably coupled to the lower opening (2b), as claimed in any of claims 7 and 8.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
IT102019000016748A IT201900016748A1 (en) | 2019-09-19 | 2019-09-19 | Membrane for the rear ventilation of an anti-colic bottle |
PCT/IB2020/058096 WO2021053442A1 (en) | 2019-09-19 | 2020-08-31 | Vent diaphragm for the rear ventilation of an anti-colic baby bottle |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP4031093A1 EP4031093A1 (en) | 2022-07-27 |
EP4031093B1 true EP4031093B1 (en) | 2024-03-20 |
Family
ID=69468998
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP20775716.2A Active EP4031093B1 (en) | 2019-09-19 | 2020-08-31 | Vent diaphragm for the rear ventilation of an anti-colic baby bottle |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP4031093B1 (en) |
CN (1) | CN114423396A (en) |
IT (1) | IT201900016748A1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2021053442A1 (en) |
Family Cites Families (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN104161675B (en) * | 2014-09-05 | 2017-08-01 | 周潜 | A kind of multifunctional feeding bottle |
-
2019
- 2019-09-19 IT IT102019000016748A patent/IT201900016748A1/en unknown
-
2020
- 2020-08-31 EP EP20775716.2A patent/EP4031093B1/en active Active
- 2020-08-31 CN CN202080065023.4A patent/CN114423396A/en active Pending
- 2020-08-31 WO PCT/IB2020/058096 patent/WO2021053442A1/en unknown
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
IT201900016748A1 (en) | 2021-03-19 |
CN114423396A (en) | 2022-04-29 |
WO2021053442A1 (en) | 2021-03-25 |
EP4031093A1 (en) | 2022-07-27 |
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