GB2344523A

GB2344523A - Portable baby bottle warmer and steriliser

Info

Publication number: GB2344523A
Application number: GB9920565A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Angela J Maw
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-12-11
Filing date: 1999-08-23
Publication date: 2000-06-14
Anticipated expiration: 2019-08-23
Also published as: GB2344523B; GB9920565D0

Abstract

The portable baby bottle warmer/steriliser comprises a housing (20, Fig. 1) with an open top (21), a closed bottom (22) and a peripheral sidewall (23), and is provided with a lid (65). A base 40 is coupled to the housing. A heating plate 24 is disposed in the interior of the housing and is spaced from the bottom of the housing to form a burning chamber 26. A burner 27 is disposed along an outer edge of burning chamber 26. A gas line 60 communicates with the burner and with a gas source, such as a tank 6. The gas line has a flow limiter valve 62 to control the heating provided. The gas line may also have a shut-off valve 61. An electric igniter 49 may be provided.

Description

PORTABLE BABY BOTTLE WARMER AND STERILIZER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Fjeld of the Invention The present invention rotates to bottie warmers and sterilizers and more particularly pertains to a new portable baby bottle warmer and sterilizer for selectively warming or sterilizing baby bottles.

I) escription of tite Prior Art The use of bottle warmers and sterilizers is known in the prior art. More specifically, bottle warrners and sterilizers heretofore devised and utilized are known to consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which have been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements.

Known prior art inclues U. S. Patent No. 4,716,278; U. S.

Patent No. 5, 21 3, 77fi ; U. S. Patent No. 2,277,605; U. S. Patent No.

5, 436, 429; U. S. Patent No. 3, 247,360; EPO Patent No. EP 0 722 707 At (Inventor Cl1apel et al.) ; and EPO Patent No. EP 0 766 496 At (Inventor : Chape) et al.).

While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not disclose a new portable baby bottle warmer and sterilizer. The inventive device inclues a housing with an open top, a closed bottom, and a peripheral sidewall that extends between the top and bottom. The peripheral sidewall defines an interior of the housing.

A base is coupled to the housing and has inner and outer surfaces and an interior that is defined by the inner surface. A heating plate is disposed in the interior of the housing and is spaced apart from the bottorn of the housing such that a burning chamber is formed between the heating plate and the bottom of the housing. A burner is disposed along an outer edge of the burning chamber. A gas line is in communication with the burner and in communication with a gas source. The gas line has a flow limiter valve for selectively partially closing the gas line.

In these respects, the portable baby bottle warmer and sterilizer according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of se ! ective ! y warming or steriiizing baby botttes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of hottle warmers and sterilizers now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new portable baby bottle warmer and sterilizer construction wherein the same can be utilized for selectively warming or sterilizing baby bottles.

The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described suhsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new portable baby bottle warmer and sterilizer apparatus and method which has many of the advantages of the bottle warmers and sterilizers mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new portable baby bottle warmer and sterilizer which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art bottle warmers and sterilizers, either alone or in any combination thereof.

To attain this, the present invention generally comprises a housing with an open top, a closed bottom, and a peripheral sidewall that extends between the top and bottom. The peripheral sidewall defines an interior of the housing. A base is coupled to the housing and has inner and outer surfaces and an interior that is defined by the inner surface. A heating plate is disposed in the interior of the housing and is spaced apart from the bottom of the housing such that a burning chamber is formed between the heating plate and the bottom of the housing. A burner is disposed along an outer edge of the burning chamber. A gas line is in communication with the burner and in communication with a gas source. The gas line has a flow limiter valve for selectively partially closing the gas line.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in otder that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will he describecl hereinafter and which will form the suhject matter of the claims appended hereto.

In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limitez in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarde as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systenis for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Further, the purpose of the foregoing ahstract is to enable the U. S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application.'T'he abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new portahle haby hottle warmer and sterilizer apparatus and method which has many of the advantages of the bottle warmers and sterilizers mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new portable baby bottle warmer and sterilizer which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art hottle warmers and sterilizers, either alone or in any combination thereof.

It is, another object of the present invention to provide a new portable baby bottle warmer and sterilizer which may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new portable baby bottle warmer and sterilizer which is of a durable and reliable construction.

An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new portable baby bottle warmer and sterilizer which is susceptible of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and tabor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such portable baby bottle warmer and sterilizer economically avaitabte to the buying public.

Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new portable baby bcttte warmer and sterilizer which provides in the apparatuses and methods of the prior art somme of the advantages thereof, while simultaneously overcoming some of the disadvantages normally associated therewith.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new portable baby bottte warmer and s'ctitizer for selectively warming or sterilizing baby bottles.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new portable baby bottle warmer and sterilizer which includes a housing with an open top, a closed bottom, and a peripheral sidewall that extends between the top and bottom. The peripheral sidewall defines an interior of the housing. A base is coupled to the housing and has inner and outer surfaces and an interior that is defined by, the inner surface. A heating plate is disposed in the interior of the housing and is spaced apart from the bottom of the housing such that a burning chamber is formed between the heating plate and the bottom of the housing. A burner is disposed along an outer edge of the burning chamber. A gas line is in communication with the burner and in communication with a gas source. The gas line has a flow limiter valve for selectively partially closing the gas line.

Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new portable baby bottle warmer and sterilizer that is heated by butane cylinders, and thus not requiring an outside source of power.

Thus, the unit is comptetety portable, a ! ! owing a parent or caretaker of a child to pursue many more activities that would not he otherwise possible in areas where electric power is unavailable.

Even still another object of the present invention is to provide a new portable baby bottle warmer and sterilizer that is small enough to fit in a diaper bag.

These together with other objects of the invention, a ! ong with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this (liscinsure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a schematic exploded view of a new portable baby bottle warmer ancl sterilizer according to the present invention.

-Figure 2 is a schematic exploded view of the racks of the present invention and their relationship to parts of a bottle about to he sterilized.

Figure 3 is a schematic top view of the present invention taken from line 3-3 of Figure t.

Figure 4 is a schematic side view of the present invention being used for warming a baby bottle.

Figure 5 is a schematic side view of a rack of the present invention.

Figure 6 is a schematic bottom view of the present invention.

Figure 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to Figures I through 7 thereof, a new portable baby bottle warmer and sterilizer embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference numeral 10 will he described.

As best illustrated in Figures 1 through 7, the portable baby bottle warmer and sterilizer 10 generally comprises a generally cylindrical housing 20 with an open top 21, a closed bottom 22, and a peripheral sidewall 23 that extends between the top 21 and bottom 22. The peripheral sidewall 23 defines an interior of the housing 20. A generally circular base 40 extends from the bottom 22 of the housing 20. The base 40 has inner and outer surfaces and an interior that is defined by the inner surface.

A heating plate 24 is disposed in the interior of the housing 20 and is spaced apart from the bottom 22 of the housing 20, a plurality of support members coupling the heating plate 24 to the bottom 22. Preferably, the heating plate 24 is metal for efficient conduction of heat. A) so preferably, the bottom 22 of the housing 20 has a nonftammabte portion 25 that is positioned below the heating plate 2 burning chamber 26 is defined between the heating plate 24 and the nonf ! ammab) e portion 25 of the bottom 22 or the housing 20.

A burner 27 is disposed along an outer edge of the burning chamber 26. Preferably, a gas line 60 is in communication with the burner 27 and extends into the interior of the base 40. The base 40 has a tank receiving bore 42 that extends into the interior of the base 40. The tank receiving bore 42 is adapted to receive a gas source such as a tank 6 of flammable gas such as a small cylinder of butane of the type commonly used for small torches and air pistots. The base 40 has a gas cap 43 removahly coupled to it for closing the tank receiving bore 42.

Preferably, the gas line 60 has an engaging portion 46 that is adapted for engaging a nozzle of the tank 6 of flarnrnable gas. The engaging portion 46 has a hollow spike 45 that extends from it for puncturing the nozzle of the tank 6. A lumen of the spike 45 comes is in communication with the interior of the tank 6 when the spike 45 pokes through the noxxte. The engaging portion 46 forms a seal around the nozzle of the tank 6 so that gas does not escape from the punctured tank 6. Ideally, the gas cap 43 has an abutment flange 44 for pressing the gas tank 6 against the spike 45 as the gas cap 43 is screwed on. This is safer than manually pushing the tank 6 against the spike 45, as the ruptured gas tank 6 could escape a user's grip and cause injury.

The gas line 60 lias a f ! ow timiter vatve 62 for selectively partially closing the gas line 6 () suc ! that only a portion of an unrestricted flow of gas is permitted to flow through it. Full flow is used for stetilizing, while the limited flow passing through the limiter valve is used for warming. Preferahly, the base 40 has a flow limiter switch 48 that is in communication with the flow limiter valve 62 for selectively opening and closing the flow limiter valve 62 to control the temperature inside the housing 20.

Preferably, the gas live 60 also has a shut-off valve 61 for selectively closing the gas fine 60 such that no gas is permitted to flow through it when the shut-off valve 61 is closed. Ideally, tile base 40 has a flow selector switch 47 that is in communication with the shut-off valve 61 for selectively opening and closing the shutoff valve 61.

Also preferabty, an electric igniter 49 is positioned in the burning chamber 26 adjacent the burner 27. The igniter 49 produces sparks for igniting gas exiting from the burner 27.

Ideally, the base 40 has an ignition button 51 that is in communication with the igniter 49 hy an igniter wire 55 for selectively operating the igniter 49. The ignition button 51 is in communication with a battery 52.

Preferably, the housing 20 has an air inlet bore 29 that extends through the peripheral sidewall and is in communication with the burning chamber 26 for permitting fresh air to flow to the burner 27. The housing 20 has an exhaust bore 3 that extends through the peripheral sidewa ! ! and is in communication with the burning chamber 26 for permitting exhaust from burned gas to escape from the burning chamber 26.

Also preferably, the base 40 has a battery compartment 53 disposed in the interior of the base 40. A lower surface of the base 40 has a battery 52 door that extends therethrough to provide access to the battery compartment 53. The battery 52 is disposed in the battery compartment 53.

The housing 20 may have a layer of insulation 34 coupled to an inner surface of the peripheral sidewall 23 and the bottom 22 except in the burning chamber 26, where there is no ixsutation.

The insulation 34 would help prevent heat from passing from the interior of the housing 20 to the sidewall of the housing 20 for greater safety, especially during sterilization where the temperature in the housing 20 is high enough to cause severe burns.

Nonflammable insulation should be used.

A lid 65 is removably courled to an upper end of the housing 20. Preferably, the lid 65 has a steam vent 66 that extends through it for releasing steam pressure during warming and sterilizing.

Ideally, the lid 65 has a channel 67 extending around an inner surface thereof towards the open end of the lid 65. A peripheral li 33 extends around an upper edge of the housing 20. The lip 33 is disposed in the channel 67 of the lid 65 when the lid 65 is snapped onto the housing 2U.

The base 4U may have an indicator light 54 in communication with the flow selector switch and the battery 52 to indicate whether the shut-off valve 61 is open or closed. Preferably, the indicator light 54 is lit when the shut-off valve 6) 1 s open to remind a user to close it when through using the apparatus 10.

Preferably, as shown in Figures 2 and 5, at least one rack 70 holds components parts of a baby bottle in a spaced apart relationship with each other during sterilizing so that steam can circulate into and between the component parts of the baby bottle.

The rack 7U has a generally disc-shaped perforated portion 71 and an annular perimeter sidewall 72 surrounding the perforated portion 71. Ideally, the perforated portion 71 has an extent 73 that extends centrally therefrom.'t'he extent 73 has a rounded tip.

In an exemplary embodiment, the distance between an upper surface of the tid 65 and the lower surface of the base 40 is between about 8 and 20 inches, ideally about 14 inches. The preferred outer diameter of the housing 20 is between about 2 and 12 inches, ideally about 6 inches.

In use, to heat a baby bottle l, the baby bottle 1 is placed in the interior of the housing 20 such that it rests on the heating plate 24 as shown in Figure 7,. The flow limiter switch 48 is manipulated to close the flow limiter valve 62, thereby limiting the amount of gas that flows through the gas line 60 to the burner 27.

The flow sclector SwitcIl 47 is manipulated to open the gas shut-off valve 61. The ignition button 51 is pushed to operate the igniter 49. Sparks from the igniter 49 ignite the gas escaping from the burner 27. The resulting flame extends into the burning chamber 26 and heats the heating plate 24. fleat is transferred from the heating plate 24 to the bottle 1. When the bottle 1 is warm enough, the flow selector switch 47 is manipulated to close the gas shunt-off valve 61.

To sterilize a bottle 1, the bottle 1 is disassembled. One rack 70 is placed on the heating plate 24. The container 2 of the bottle I is p) a c e d inverted and ptaced on the rack 70. Another rack 70 is placed on the container 2.'I'he sealing ring 3 of the bottle I is placed on the rack 70. The nipple 4 of the bottle 1 is placed on the sealing ring 3. The bottte cover 5 is placed on the sealing ring 3.

Figure 2 shows the proper positioning of the component parts of a bottte) with the racks 70 for steritizing. A smaH amount of water is placed in the housing 20 to produce steam when the heating plate 24 is heated.'1'he flwv lirniter switch 48 is rnanipulated to open the flow limiter valve 62, thereby permitting the maximum amount of gas to flows through the gas line 60 to the burner 27. The f) ow selector switch 47 is manipulated to open the gas shut-off valve 6t.

The ignition button 51 is pushed to operate the igniter 49. Sparks from the igniter 49 ignite the gas escaping from the burner 27. The resulting flame extends into the burning chamber 26 and heats the heating plate 24. fleat is transferred from the heating plate 24 to the bottle 1. When the bottle 1 has been heated enough to sterilize the component parts of the bottle 1, the flow selector switch 47 is manipulated to close the gas shut-off valve tTl.

As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, forum, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. An apparatus for warnling and sterilizing bottles, comprising : a housing having an open top, a closed bottom, and a peripheral sidewall extending between said top and bottom, said peripheral sidewall defining an interior of said housing; a base coupled to said housing, said base having inner and outer surfaces and an interior being defined by said inner surface ; a heating plate being disposed in said interior of said housing and being spaced apart from said bottom of said housing ; a burning chamber being defined between said heating plate and said bottom of said housing ; a burner being disposed along an outer edge of said burning chambrer : a gas line being in communication with said burner and in communication with a gas source; and said gas line having a flow limiter valve for selectively partially closing said gas line.

2. The apparatus of claim l, wherein said bottom of said housing has a nonflammahle portion being positioned below said heating plate.

3. The apparatus of ctaim t, wherein said gas source comprises a tank of flammable gas.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said base has a tank receiving bore extending into said interior of said base, said tank receiving bore being adapted for receiving said tank of flammable gas, said base having a gas cap removably coupled thereto for closing said tank receiving bore.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said gas line has an engaging portion adapted for engaging a nozzle of said tank of ftammabte gas, said engaging portion having a hollow spike extending therefrom for puncturing said nozzle of said tank, said engaging portion forming a seal around said nozzle of said tank.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said base has a flow ! imiter switch being in communication with said flow limiter valve for selectively opening and closing said flow limiter valve for controlling the temperature inside said housing.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said gas line has a shutoff valve for selectively closing said gas line.

8. I'he apparatus of claim 7, wherein said base has a flow selector switch being in communication with said shut-off valve for selectively opening and closing saicl shut-off valve.

9. The apparatus of c ! aim 4, further comprising an electric igniter being positioned in said burning chamber adjacent said burner, said igniter producing sparks for igniting gas exiting from said burner.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said base has an ignition button being in communication with said igniter for selectively operating said igniter, said ignition button being in communication with a battery.

1 lhe apparatus of claim 1, wherein said housing has an air in) et bore extending through said peripheral sidewall and in communication with said burning chamber for permitting fresh air to flow to said burner, said housing having an exhaust bore extending tnrotlgll said peripheral sidewall and in communication with said burning chamber for permitting exhaust from the burned gas to escape from said burning chamber.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said housing has a layer of insulation coupled to an inner surface of said peripheral sidewall and said bottom.

13. The apparatus of claim I, wherein a lid is removably coup ! ed to an upper end of said housing, said) id having a steam vent extending thercthrough.

14.' 'he apparatus of claim 8, wherein said base has an indicator light being in communication with said flow selector switch and a battery, said indicator light being li. t when said shutoff valve is open.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least one rnck for hotding components parts of a baby bottle in a spaced apart rotation ship with each other during sterilizing, said rack having a generally disc-shaped perforated portion and an annular perimeter sidewall surrounding said perforated portion.

16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said perforated portion has an extent extending centrally therefrom, said extent having a rounded tip.

17. Apparatus for warming and sterilizing bottles as claimed in claim 1 and as herein described.

18. Apparatus for warming and sterilizing bottles as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.