GB2440933A

GB2440933A - Feeding bottle for use in feeding liquid foodstuffs to an infant

Info

Publication number: GB2440933A
Application number: GB0616442A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jonathan Morris Gold
Original assignee: CATALYST DEVELOPMENTS; Brother Max Ltd
Current assignee: Brother Max Ltd
Priority date: 2006-08-18
Filing date: 2006-08-18
Publication date: 2008-02-20
Anticipated expiration: 2026-08-18
Also published as: GB0616442D0; WO2008020201A1; GB2440933B

Abstract

There is provided a feeding bottle 101 for use in feeding liquid foodstuffs to an infant comprising a bottle container 110 defining an interior for containing said liquid foodstuffs, and defining a container rim 112; a teat 120 arranged for receipt by said container rim; a fixing ring 130 for reversibly fixing said teat to the container rim; and a sealing disc 140 arranged for reversible receipt between the bottle container and the teat such that in a non-feeding configuration the interior of the bottle container is sealed off from the teat, wherein said feeding bottle further includes a recess 150 for stowed receipt of said sealing disc in a feeding configuration. The recess for receiving the sealing disc may be provided in a lid 160 or in a seperable base (218, fig 6). The sealing disc may be provided with a circular indent 144 and a protrusion 146 in combination to act as a finger-grip.

Description

Infant feeding bottle

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an infant feeding bottle of the type that is of use in feeding a baby with milk or other liquid foodstuffs.

Background to the Invention

Infant feeding bottles for feeding babies with milk or other liquids (baby bottles') are well-known in the art. The feeding bottle generally comprises a bottle container, to which is provided a teat that reversibly fixes to a rim of the bottle container by means of a fixing ring. A protective lid is generally also provided to the feeding bottle for covering the teat when the feeding bottle is not in use. Leakage of milk contents from the teat when the feeding bottle is shaken, for example during transport thereof, is a known problem. As a solution to this problem many infant feeding bottles are also provided with a sealing disc that in a non-feeding configuration fits between the bottle container and the teat. Generally, the sealing disc is held in place by the fixing ring. At feeding time the sealing disc is removed (e.g. by unscrewing the fixing ring, manually removing the sealing disc and then replacing the fixing ring) to unseal the bottle container and allow passage of milk contents to the teat, which is placed in the mouth of the feeding infant.

Applicant has now realized that a problem can arise with such known infant feeding bottles in that once the sealing disc in removed the carer of the infant must take care to place it somewhere safely for later use in re-sealing the bottle. However, since such sealing discs are small, and the carer's attention is generally more focused on caring for and feeding the infant, sealing discs are often lost or otherwise misplaced.

This leads to frustration for the carer who must then find or purchase a replacement sealing disc. In solution to this problem, Applicant has devised an infant feeding bottle that incorporates a recess for ready stowage of the sealing disc during feeding of the infant. After feeding, the sealing disc may then be conveniently retrieved from the recess and used to reseal the bottle container. The frustration that arises from losing or otherwise misplacing the sealing disc is thus, avoided.

it is an object of the present invention to provide an infant feeding bottle that incorporates a stowage location for a sealing disc thereof.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a feeding bottle for use in feeding liquid foodstuffs to an infant comprising a bottle container defining an interior for containing said liquid foodstuffs, and defining a container rim; a teat arranged for receipt by said container rim; a fixing ring for reversibly fixing said teat to the container rim; and a sealing disc arranged for reversible receipt between the bottle container and the teat such that in a non-feeding configuration the interior of the bottle container is sealed off from the teat, wherein said feeding bottle further includes a recess for stowed receipt of said sealing disc in a feeding configuration thereof.

There is provided a feeding bottle of the type that is suitable for use in feeding liquid foodstuffs (e.g. milk) to an infant (e.g. a baby).

The feeding bottle comprises a bottle container, which defines an interior for containing the liquid foodstuffs. The container defines a container rim. Suitably, the bottle container defines a circular base, a single circumferential wall and a circular rim. Generally, the bottle container is formed of a glass or plastic polymer material and is clear in form (e.g. colourless).

Suitably, gradated markings are provided along the circumferential wall of the bottle container to allow the user to see how much liquid remains in the interior of the container.

The feeding bottle also includes a teat that is arranged for receipt by the container rim. The teat is generally formed of a flexible material such as a natural or synthetic rubber material. The teat generally has a teat end and an open end. The open end suitably defines a teat rim that is sized and shaped for snug receipt by the container rim.

The feeding bottle further includes a fixing ring for reversibly fixing the teat to the container rim. Generally, the fixing ring is arranged for reversible screw fixing to a screw thread provided around the container rim of the bottle container. In use, the fixing ring is typically fitted over the teat with the teat end protruding upwards and this assembly is positioned over the container rim such that the teat rim is received thereby. The fixing ring is then screwed down to hold the teat in fixed relationship to the bottle container.

The feeding bottle further includes a sealing disc. The sealing disc is arranged for reversible receipt between the bottle container and the teat such that in a non-feeding configuration the interior of the bottle container is sealed off from the teat.

Suitably, the sealing disc fits over the container rim to thereby seal off the interior of the bottle container. This sealing interaction acts such as to prevent transfer of any liquid foodstuff contents from the interior of the container. In the non-feeding configuration, the teat is placed over the container rim and sealing disc, and the fixing ring then used to hold both sealing disc and teat in fixed relationship to the bottle container. Thus, a fixed sealing relationship is established provides a good enough seal to prevent transfer (e.g. leakage) of liquid contents from the interior of the bottle container to the teat.

At feeding time for the infant, the feeding bottle is placed in a feeding configuration, in which the sealing disc is removed from its sealing relationship with the bottle container to allow transfer of liquid contents from the bottle container to the teat. This is readily achieved by removing (e.g. unscrewing) the fixing ring to release the teat and sealing disc; removing the sealing disc; and replacing the teat, which is then fixed down by reapplying (e.g. screwing down) the fixing ring.

The feeding bottle further includes a recess that provides a stowage position for stowed receipt of the sealing disc in the feeding configuration. That is to say, the recess is used for stowed receipt of the sealing disc when it has been removed from the container nm of the bottle container (e.g. during feeding use of the feeding bottle).

Suitably, the sealing disc and recess are arranged for mutual engagement such that the sealing disc may be engageably received by the recess. Any suitable types of engagement are envisaged, particularly press-fit or snap-fit types of engagement between the sealing disc and the recess. Thus, suitably, the (inner facing side, in use of the) sealing disc is provided with an engagement feature such as a rim, protrusion or indent.

Suitably, the (outer facing side, in use of the) sealing disc is provided with a finger-grip feature that enables a user to grip the sealing disc when engaged in the recess and pull it out of the recess. Thus, one or more protrusions, indents and/or loop features may be provided to the sealing disc to provide this finger-grip functionality.

Pop in, pull out' is a preferred means of interaction of the sealing disc with the recess.

In one aspect, the recess for receipt of the sealing disc is provided to the bottle container. In one embodiment, the recess locates at the base of the bottle container.

In another embodiment, the recess locates at a wall of the bottle container.

In one embodiment, the recess locates at a separable bottle base provided to the bottle container. In one particular embodiment, the separable bottle base screw engages with the (lower end of) the bottle container.

Suitably, the infant feeding bottle is provided with a bottle lid, which acts such as to cover and therefore protect the teat when the feeding bottle is in the non-feeding configuration. Suitably, the lid defines a lid rim that is arranged for engagement with the fixing ring and/or bottle container. Any suitable types of engagement are envisaged, particularly screw-fit, press-fit or snap-fit types of engagement between the lid and the fixing ring and/or bottle container.

In another aspect, the recess for receipt of the sealing disc is provided to the bottle lid, particularly to the top end thereof. In a particular embodiment the bottle lid is provided with a cover (e.g. hinged cover), which acts to reversibly cover the sealing disc when stowed in the recess thereof.

Suitably, the sealing disc and/or fixing ring and/or bottle lid herein are comprised of a plastic polymer material. Suitable plastic polymer materials include polyvinyl chloride and polypropylene. In one aspect, the plastic polymer material is an injection-moulded plastic polymer material.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a bottle container suitable for use with the feeding bottle herein, said bottle container defining an interior for containing said liquid foodstuffs, and defining a container rim, wherein the bottle container further includes a recess for stowed receipt of a sealing disc b herein, in a feeding configuration. An assembly of said bottle container with a sealing disc received by said recess is also envisaged herein.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a bottle lid suitable for use with the feeding bottle herein, wherein the bottle lid further includes a recess for stowed receipt of a sealing disc herein, in a feeding configuration. An assembly of said bottle lid with a sealing disc received by said recess is also envisaged herein.

It will be appreciated that any of the elements of the feeding bottle herein may be manufactured and supplied separately and for supplied as a pre-assembly or a kit of parts. In particular, one or more sealing discs herein may be sold as a kit for use with a feeding bottle comprising the bottle container, teat, fixing ring and optionally lid parts thereof. The present invention encompasses all of these separate component parts and any assemblies thereof.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The invention will now be described further with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-Figure 1 shows an exploded view from the side of a prior art infant feeding bottle; Figure 2 shows a perspective view from below of a feeding bottle in accord with a first embodiment of the present invention with the sealing disc stowed; Figures 3a and 3b respectively show perspective views from below and from the side of the feeding bottle of Figure 2 with the sealing disc unstowed; Figure 4 shows cross-sectional views from the side and bottom of the feeding bottle of Figure 2 with the sealing disc stowed; Figure 5 shows a perspective view from the side of a feeding bottle in accord with a second embodiment of the present invention with the sealing disc stowed; Figure 6 shows a perspective view from the side of the feeding bottle of Figure 5 with the sealing disc unstowed; Figure 7 shows cross-sectional views from the side and bottom of the feeding bottle of Figure 5 with the sealing disc stowed; Figure 8 shows a perspective view from the side of a feeding bottle in accord with a third embodiment of the present invention with the sealing disc stowed, and the bottle lid removed; Figures 9a and 9b show perspective views from the side of the top part of the feeding bottle of Figure 8 with the sealing disc respectively stowed and unstowed; Figure 10 shows cross-sectional views from the side and top of the feeding bottle of Figure 8 with the sealing disc stowed; Figure 11 shows a perspective view from the side of a feeding bottle in accord with a fourth embodiment of the present invention with the sealing disc stowed, the bottle lid in place and a hinged cover of the bottle lid opened up; Figure 12 shows a perspective view from above of the feeding bottle of Figure 11 with the sealing disc unstowed, the bottle lid removed and the hinged cover of the bottle lid opened up; Figure 13 shows cross-sectional views from the side and top of the feeding bottle of Figure 11 with the sealing disc stowed; and Figure 14 shows a cross-sectional view from the side of the feeding bottle of Figure 11 with the sealing disc stowed, the bottle lid in place and a hinged cover of the bottle lid opened up.

Referring now to the drawings, Figure 1 shows a prior art feeding bottle 1, which comprises a bottle container 10 defining an interior for containing milk or other liquid foodstuffs suitable for feeding to a young infant. The bottle container 10 defines a container rim 12 that is arranged for receipt of flexible teat 20, and which is fixed in place by means of a screw fixing ring 30 that reversibly screw fixes to a screw thread 14 provided around the container rim 12. The prior art feeding bottle 1 also includes a protective lid 60 that fits onto the bottle container 10 and acts to cover the teat 20 when the feeding bottle 1 is in a non-feeding configuration. The prior art feeding bottle I further includes a sealing disc 40 that is arranged for reversible receipt between the bottle container 10 and the flexible teat 20 such that in the non-feeding configuration the interior of the bottle container 10 is sealed off from the flexible teat 20.

At feeding time, and during use of the prior art feeding bottle I the sealing disc 40 is removed from its position between the bottle container 10 and flexible teat 20 to allow transfer of liquid contents of the bottle container 10 to the flexible teat 20, which is received by the mouth of an infant. No element of the prior art bottle I however, provides a convenient location for stowage of the sealing disc 40 when so removed thereby, creating a potential problem for the carer of the infant.

Figures 2 to 14 show various aspects of embodiments of the claimed invention, each of which differs from the prior art feeding bottle I by including a recess for stowed receipt of the sealing disc 40 during feeding time use thereof.

In more detail, Figures 2 to 4 show different views of a first embodiment of a feeding bottle 101 of the claimed invention, which comprises a bottle container 110 defining an interior for containing milk or other liquid foodstuffs suitable for feeding to a young infant. The bottle container 110 defines a container rim 112 (see Figure 4) that is arranged for receipt of a flexible teat 120, and which is held in place by means of screw fixing ring 130 that reversibly screw fixes to a screw thread 114 (only visible at Figure 4) provided around the container rim 112. The feeding bottle 101 also includes a protective lid 160 that fits on the bottle container 110 and acts to cover the teat 120 when the feeding bottle 101 is in a non-feeding configuration. The feeding bottle 101 further includes a sealing disc 140 that (as with the prior art feeding bottle of Figure 1) is arranged for reversible receipt between the bottle container 110 and the flexible teat 120 such that in the non-feeding configuration the interior of the bottle container 110 is sealed off from the flexible teat 120.

The sealing disc 140 is arranged for stowage (e.g. at feeding time) in a recess 150 provided to the base 116 of the bottle container 110. The sealing disc 140 and recess 150 are arranged for press-fit engagement. Thus, the sealing disc 140 is provided at its inner side with a circular protrusion 142 that is arranged to press-fit engage a circular rim 152 provided within the recess at the base 116 of the bottle container 110. The outer side of the sealing disc 140 is further provided with a circular indent 144 and a protrusion 146 that protrudes diametrically there across, which indent 144 and protrusion 146 in combination act as a finger-grip feature that may be gripped by the user when seeking to pull the sealing disc 140 from its stowed position within the recess 150.

Figures 5 to 7 show different views of a second embodiment of a feeding bottle 201 of the claimed invention, which comprises a bottle container 210 defining an interior for containing milk or other liquid foodstuffs suitable for feeding to a young infant.

The bottle container 210 defines a container rim 212 (see Figure 7) that is arranged for receipt of a flexible teat 220, and which is held in place by means of screw fixing ring 230 that reversibly screw fixes to a screw thread 214 (only visible at Figure 7) i-u provided around the container rim 212. The feeding bottle 201 also includes a protective lid 260 that fits on the bottle container 210 and acts to cover the teat 220 when the feeding bottle 201 is in a non-feeding configuration. The feeding bottle 201 further includes a sealing disc 240 that (as with the prior art feeding bottle of Figure 1) is arranged for reversible receipt between the bottle container 210 and the flexible teat 220 such that in the non-feeding configuration the interior of the bottle container 210 is sealed off from the flexible teat 220.

The sealing disc 240 is arranged for stowage (e.g. at feeding time) in a recess 250 provided to a screw-off base 218 provided to the lower part 216 of the bottle container 210. The sealing disc 240 and recess 250 are arranged for press-fit engagement. Thus, the sealing disc 240 is provided at its inner side with a circular protrusion 242 that is arranged to press-fit engage a circular rim 252 provided within the recess of the screw-off base 218 of the bottle container 210. The outer side of the sealing disc 240 is further provided with a circular indent 244 and a protrusion 246 that protrudes diametrically there across, which indent 244 and protrusion 246 in combination act as a finger-grip feature that may be gripped by the user when seeking to pull the sealing disc 240 from its stowed position within the recess 250.

Figures 8 to 10 show different views of a third embodiment of a feeding bottle 301 of the claimed invention, which comprises a bottle container 310 defining an interior for containing milk or other liquid foodstuffs suitable for feeding to a young infant. The bottle container 310 defines a container rim 312 (see Figure 10) that is arranged for receipt of a flexible teat 320, and which is held in place by means of screw fixing ring 330 that reversibly screw fixes to a screw thread 314 (only visible at Figure 10) provided around the container rim 312. The feeding bottle 301 also includes a protective lid 360 that fits on the bottle container 310 and acts to cover the teat 320 when the feeding bottle 301 is in a non-feeding configuration. The feeding bottle 301 further includes a sealing disc 340 that (as with the prior art feeding bottle of Figure 1) is arranged for reversible receipt between the bottle container 310 and the flexible i-I teat 320 such that in the non-feeding configuration the interior of the bottle container 310 is sealed off from the flexible teat 320.

The sealing disc 340 is arranged for stowage (e.g. at feeding time) in a recess 350 provided to the top of bottle lid 360 of the feeding bottle 301. The sealing disc 340 and recess 350 are arranged for press- fit engagement. Thus, the sealing disc 340 is provided at its inner side with a circular protrusion 342 that is arranged to press-fit engage a circular rim 352 provided within the recess at the bottle lid 360. The outer side of the sealing disc 340 is further provided with a circular indent 344 and a protrusion 346 that protrudes diametrically there across, which indent 344 and protrusion 346 in combination act as a finger-grip feature that may be gripped by the user when seeking to pull the sealing disc 340 from its stowed position within the recess 350 of the bottle lid 360.

Figures 11 to 14 show different views of a fourth embodiment of a feeding bottle 401 of the claimed invention, which comprises a bottle container 410 defining an interior for containing milk or other liquid foodstuffs suitable for feeding to a young infant.

The bottle container 410 defines a container rim 412 (see Figures 13 and 14) that is arranged for receipt of a flexible teat 420, and which is held in place by means of screw fixing ring 430 that reversibly screw fixes to a screw thread 414 (only visible at Figures 13 and 14) provided around the container rim 412. The feeding bottle 401 also includes a protective lid 460 that fits on the bottle container 410 and acts to cover the teat 420 when the feeding bottle 401 is in a non- feeding configuration. The feeding bottle 401 further includes a sealing disc 440 that (as with the prior art feeding bottle of Figure 1) is arranged for reversible receipt between the bottle container 410 and the flexible teat 420 such that in the non-feeding configuration the interior of the bottle container 410 is sealed off from the flexible teat 420.

The sealing disc 440 is arranged for stowage (e.g. at feeding time) in a recess 450 provided to the top of bottle lid 460 of the feeding bottle 401. The sealing disc 440 and recess 450 are arranged for press- fit engagement. Thus, the sealing disc 440 is 1z provided at its inner side with a circular protrusion 442 that is arranged to press-fit engage a circular rim 452 provided within the recess at the bottle lid 460. The outer side of the sealing disc 440 is further provided with a circular indent 444 and a protrusion 446 that protrudes diametrically there across, which indent 444 and protrusion 446 in combination act as a finger-grip feature that may be gripped by the user when seeking to pull the sealing disc 440 from its stowed position within the recess 450 of the bottle lid 460. The bottle lid 460 is further provided with a bottle lid cover 462 that hinges thereto at living hinge 464 and which cover 462 includes strap 466 for ease of covering I uncovering action thereof. The strap 466 may in embodiments be replaced by a detent or prong that is received within a slot provided to the top of the bottle lid 460 for reversibly locking the cover 462 in place.

The application of which this description and claims form part may be used as a basis for priority in respect of any subsequent application. The claims of such subsequent application may be directed to any feature or combination of features described therein. They may take the form of product, method or use claims and may include, by way of example and without limitation, one or more of the following claims: i-i

Claims

Claims 1. A feeding bottle for use in feeding liquid foodstuffs to an

infant comprising a bottle container defining an interior for containing said liquid foodstuffs, and defining a container rim; a teat arranged for receipt by said container rim; a fixing ring for reversibly fixing said teat to the container rim; and a sealing disc arranged for reversible receipt between the bottle container and the teat such that in a non-feeding configuration the interior of the bottle container is sealed off from the teat, wherein said feeding bottle further includes a recess for stowed receipt of said sealing disc in a feeding configuration thereof.

2. A feeding bottle according to claim 1, additionally comprising a bottle lid, which bottle lid acts such as to cover the teat when the feeding bottle is in the non-feeding configuration.

3. A feeding bottle according to either of claims I or 2, wherein the sealing disc and recess are arranged for engagement with each other.

4. A feeding bottle according to claim 3, wherein said engagement is of the press-fit or snap-fit type of engagement.

5. A feeding bottle according to any of claims I to 4, wherein the sealing disc is provided with a finger-grip feature that enables a user to grip the sealing disc when engaged in the recess for pulling it out of the recess.

6. A feeding bottle according to claim 5, wherein said finger-grip feature comprises one or more protrusions, indents and/or loop features provided to the sealing disc.

7. A feeding bottle according to any of claims I to 6, wherein the recess for receipt of the sealing disc is provided to the bottle container.

8. A feeding bottle according to claim 7, wherein the recess locates at the base of the bottle container.

9. A feeding bottle according to claim 7, wherein the recess locates at a wall of the bottle container.

10. A feeding bottle according to either of claims 7 or 8, wherein the recess locates at a separable bottle base provided to the bottle container.

11. A feeding bottle according to claim 10, wherein said separable bottle base is arranged to screw engage with the bottle container.

12. A feeding bottle according to any of claims 2 to 6, wherein the recess for receipt of the sealing disc is provided to said bottle lid.

13. A feeding bottle according to claim 12, wherein the recess locates at a top end of the bottle lid.

14. A feeding bottle according to either of claims 12 or 13, wherein the bottle lid is provided with a cover, which acts to reversibly cover the sealing disc when stowed in the recess thereof.

15. A feeding bottle according to claim 14, wherein said cover hinges to the bottle lid.

16. A feeding bottle according to any of claims I to 15, wherein the bottle container is formed of a glass or plastic polymer material.

17. A feeding bottle according to any of claims 2 to 16, wherein the sealing disc and/or fixing ring and/or bottle lid are comprised of a plastic polymer material.

18. A bottle container for use in the feeding bottle according to any of claims 7 to 11, wherein the bottle container includes a recess for stowed receipt of a sealing disc.

19. A bottle container assembly comprising the bottle container of claim 18 and a sealing disc that is received by said recess.

20. A bottle lid for use in the feeding bottle according to any of claims 12 to 15, wherein the bottle lid includes a recess for stowed receipt of a sealing disc.

21. A bottle lid assembly comprising the bottle lid of claim 20 and a sealing disc that is received by said recess.

22. The feeding bottle of any of claims 1 to 17 in kit of parts form.